The radical animal-rights group United Poultry Concerns is crowing about a study suggesting that 79 percent of New Zealanders would be “willing to pay between $1.20 and $2.40 more for one dozen eggs” if they came from so-called “free range” hens.
The survey was conducted by the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, not exactly an unbiased observer. A spokesperson for the Egg Producers Federation of New Zealand challenged the basis for the SPCA’s findings, arguing that the actual price difference down under is closer to $3.60 per dozen. He also said that only 6 to 7 percent of consumers were buying the free-range eggs that were already available.
According to Consumer Price Index data, the average U.S. price for a dozen eggs last month was $1.14. Everyone willing to pay $4.75 instead, raise your hand.
Uh huh. We thought so.
