United Egg Producers v. Davila

871 F. Supp. 106, 1994 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 18691, 1994 WL 713739
CourtDistrict Court, D. Puerto Rico
DecidedDecember 14, 1994
DocketCiv. No. 92-1924(PG)
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 871 F. Supp. 106 (United Egg Producers v. Davila) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Puerto Rico primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United Egg Producers v. Davila, 871 F. Supp. 106, 1994 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 18691, 1994 WL 713739 (prd 1994).

Opinion

OPINION AND ORDER

PEREZ-GIMENEZ, District Judge.

I.

Introduction

Pursuant to Market Regulation 3 (“MR3”), the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture has imposed requirements relating to the [108]*108sale of chicken eggs. Plaintiffs seek to avoid complying with the requirements imposed by MR3. Plaintiffs challenge MR3 on several grounds. First, plaintiffs argue that the following provisions of MR3 are preempted by the federal Egg Products Inspection Act (“EPIA”), 21 U.S.C. § 1031 et seq.; by the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (“FDCA”), 21 U.S.C. § 301 et seq.; and by regulations promulgated thereunder, including 7 C.F.R. Parts 55-59 and 21 C.F.R. Part 100 et seq.: XIII(A)(2), XIII(G), XIII(B)(4), XV, 11(17), X(B), VIII(E), XIII(D), X(F), VI(G), and XIII(A)(5). Plaintiffs also argue that MR3 unconstitutionally burdens interstate commerce, in violation of Article I, Section 8, clause 3, of the United States Constitution. Plaintiffs seek a declaratory judgment and injunctive relief.

The parties presented argument and evidence at a hearing on May 20, 1994. Both parties submitted post-hearing briefs. In addition, the United States Department of Agriculture submitted an amicus curiae brief. The issues involved in this litigation have been well-briefed and well-argued by both parties and by the U.S.D.A. as amicus curiae. In the final analysis, however, for the reasons set forth below, plaintiffs’ request that the Department of Agriculture be enjoined permanently from enforcing Market Regulation 3 is GRANTED.

II.

Discussion

A

Preemption

The laws of the United States are “the supreme Law of the Land; ... any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any state to the Contrary notwithstanding.” United States Constitution, Article VI, cl. 2. Plaintiffs and the U.S.D.A. contend that Congress explicitly stated in the E.P.I.A. its intent to preempt state law. See Shaw v. Delta Air Lines, Inc., 463 U.S. 85, 95-98, 103 S.Ct. 2890, 2899-01, 77 L.Ed.2d 490 (1983). Any state law or regulation that conflicts with federal law is “without effect.” Maryland v. Louisiana, 451 U.S. 725, 746, 101 S.Ct. 2114, 2129, 68 L.Ed.2d 576 (1981).

1.

Egg Products Inspection Act

The Egg Products Inspection Act and regulations promulgated thereunder set forth standards for the quality, condition, weight, quantity, and grade of eggs produced for commercial sale. 21 U.S.C. § 1031 et seq. The E.P.I.A. explicitly preempts state and local law and regulations in three contexts. 21 U.S.C. § 1052(b). First, Congress forbade enforcement of state and local law and regulations that would impose “standards of quality, condition, weight, quantity, or grade which are in addition to or different from” the E.P.I.A. and federal regulations. In addition, the E.P.I.A. preempts the imposition of temperature requirements other than those set forth by the E.P.I.A. and implementing regulations. Finally, the E.P.I.A. also prohibits the imposition of “labeling, packaging, or ingredient requirements, in addition to or different from” those set forth in the E.P.I.A. and other federal statutes and regulations.1 21 U.S.C. § 1052(b).

2.

Market Regulation 3

MR3 § XIII(A)(2) imposes labeling requirements with respect to the name and address of the “importer or ... the representative or agent of the exporter.” These requirements are in addition to those imposed by the E.P.I.A. This section therefore is preempted by the E.P.I.A.

MR3 §§ X(D), XIII(A)(5), XIII(B)(4), and XIII(G) impose a forty-two day marketing requirement on eggs sold in Puerto Rico. These provisions of MR3 relate to the quality, condition, and labeling of eggs, and are in addition to those imposed by the E.P.I.A. These sections therefore are preempted by the E.P.I.A.

[109]*109MR3 §§ XV and 11(17) establish standards for “fresh” eggs. Compliance with these standards is voluntary. Subsequent to adoption by a marketer, however, compliance with additional requirements is mandatory. The E.P.I.A. and implementing regulations do not contain an explicit definition of “freshness,” but impose standards for the quality of eggs based on several factors which relate to freshness, including shell condition, air cell depth, firmness of the egg white, and yolk definition and freedom from defect. 7 C.F.R. Part 56, Subpart C. The provisions of MR3 relating to “freshness,” therefore, are different from and in addition to the standards imposed by the E.P.I.A. and federal regulations. These sections of MR3 are preempted.

MR3 §§ VIII(E) and X(B) prohibit “the marketing [to consumers] in Puerto Rico of eggs of a weight class inferior to ‘Small.’” The E.P.I.A. does not prohibit on the basis of weight the marketing or sale to consumers of eggs. These provisions of MR3 impose requirements in addition to those contained in the E.P.I.A. These sections of MR3 are preempted.

MR3 § XIII(D) prohibits use for direct sale to consumers of any egg container not approved by the Puerto Rico Secretary of Agriculture. The E.P.I.A. and implementing regulations impose requirements relating to the packaging and containers used in the sale of eggs to consumers. 7 C.F.R. § 56.35. This provision of MR3 imposes a requirement in addition to those imposed by federal law. Therefore, this section of MR3 is preempted.

B.

Commerce Clause

Under Article I, section 8, clause 3, of the United States Constitution, the United States Congress is granted power to “regulate Commerce with foreign nations and among the several States.” The Supreme Court has held that the so-called “dormant Commerce Clause” prohibits the states from enforcing laws or regulations that “unduly burden or discriminate against interstate or foreign commerce.” Trailer Marine Transport Corp. v. Rivera Vazquez, 977 F.2d 1, 8 (1st Cir.1992) (citing City of Philadelphia v. New Jersey, 437 U.S. 617, 623-24, 98 S.Ct. 2531, 2535-36, 57 L.Ed.2d 475 (1978)).

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Bluebook (online)
871 F. Supp. 106, 1994 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 18691, 1994 WL 713739, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-egg-producers-v-davila-prd-1994.