To the editor:

It’s surprising to me that Rep. J. Randy Forbes doesn’t appear to yet have a position on HR 1731, an important federal bill that would reduce cruelty to animals and help our nation’s egg industry at the same time.

In recent years, numerous states have passed conflicting regulations relating to the treatment of laying hens. Rather than ending up with 50 different standards, the egg industry is lobbying for one national standard in order to even the playing field, while at the same time improving animal welfare.

This bill has the support of animal welfare advocates, egg producers and veterinarians alike, and it demands Rep. Forbes’ support, too.

Andrew Thompson

Chesapeake