Data for 2000 comparisons were unavailable. There is a zero tolerance program for salmonella. Farms are checked every three weeks and any farm even suspected of having salmonella must heat treat eggs. Higher costs of responding to salmonella, animal welfare and environmental rules as well as increasing imports, are pushing local farms out of business. Italy had an outbreak of avian influenza early this year which affected trading patterns.
Industry welcomes decision on layer housing .
Mr. Pohlmann would then concentrate on the southern facilities, formerly known as Croton Egg Farm. Hence, total per capita egg consumption has actually increased from 237 in 1991 to 259 in 1999 and 2000. USDA's Economic Research Service reports that per capita egg consumption of shell eggs has grown from a low of 173 eggs in 1997 to 181.1 during 1999. Per capita consumption of egg products has grown each year since 1975 to a total of 73.5 eggs in 1999. Total per capita consumption for all eggs last year was 254.6.