Farmers might have more time to come up with cage-free housing for their egg-laying hens.
In 2009, the state passed a bill saying farmers could not confine their lay hens throughout the day. The hens must be able to stand, lie down or turn 360 degrees during most of the day. But a new bill before the Michigan Senate would delay the start date of those rules by five years, from 2020 to 2025.
M-Live reports farm advocacy groups say there is not yet enough consumer demand for cage-free eggs.
The bill passed the Senate Agriculture Committee this week.