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Trump administration’s challenge to Michigan cage-free law dismissed

A federal judge has dismissed an attempt by the Trump administration to eliminate Michigan’s cage-free egg law.

Nancy Barr with the Michigan Allied Poultry Industries (MAPI) tells Brownfield all eggs produced in the state have been cage-free since at least 2025.

“Our producers had known that this was coming over the years and spent literally a decade or more to prepare for that law becoming effective,” she says.

The state law, passed in 2019, was crafted in part by poultry producers to align requirements with United Egg Producers cage-free standards and retailer demands, rather than ballot-driven initiatives.

The federal government argued it contributes to a cost-of-living crisis, conflicts with the Egg Product Inspection Act, and violates the Supremacy Clause.

Barr says record egg prices in 2025 were caused by the nationwide outbreak of highly pathogenic influenza.

“We have seen those prices come down,” she says. “In fact, the prices have been at their lowest levels this past year, and so we know that our cage-free production has not impacted the cost of eggs.”

MAPI and several animal rights organizations intervened in the case as defendants.

U.S. District Judge Jane Beckering says the plaintiff failed to establish standing and dismissed the case for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction.

Barr says, unfortunately, HPAI is a regular threat to the poultry industry and a vaccine program with USDA is encouraged.

A similar case in California was also dismissed, and the Trump administration is appealing. Barr says plaintiffs have until December 7th to appeal the Michigan decision.

State legislation attempting to eliminate cage-free requirements was introduced in 2025 and met with opposition by MAPI and Michigan Farm Bureau.

Michigan is the nation’s seventh-largest egg producer.