Chelsey Heath/KJZZ

Multicolor eggs on a farm in the West Valley.

Attorneys for the state Department of Agriculture have responded to a lawsuit against its rules that will require large egg producers to use cage-free hens starting next year.

The rules are crafted to only affect producers with more than 20,000 egg laying hens. That means it would only directly impact Hickman’s Family Farms in Buckeye.

The lawsuit was filed by a Tucson-based restaurant owner, Grant Krueger, who said the new rules will mean higher prices for consumers. The Department of Agriculture has estimated a price increase of up to 3 cents per egg.

Attorneys for the state told a Maricopa County Superior Court judge the lawsuit has no legal standing, as Krueger showed no direct injury from the rules.

There is no date set for the hearing.

Chelsey Heath/KJZZ

Multicolor eggs on a farm in the West Valley.