Farm initiative qualifies for ballot

An initiative that would prohibit what its supporters call "cruel confinement" of farm animals such as pregnant pigs and egg-laying hens has qualified for the November ballot, Secretary of State Debra Bowen has announced.

The Prevention of Farm Cruelty Act would prohibit tethering or confining any farm animal which lives in a covered space in a manner that would prevent it from lying down, standing up and fully extending its limbs and turning around freely. The initiative qualified when 536,605 of the 782,507 signatures submitted were determined to be valid after a random check of signatures.

Animals covered are calves raised for veal, pigs during pregnancy and egg-laying hens, such as the ones pictured in cages below. Exceptions include animals used in scientific or agricultural research; examination, testing or treatment for veterinary purposes; transportation; and rodeo, state or county fair exhibitions and 4-H programs. In addition, the initiative would not cover animals during the slaughter process and the seven-day period before a pig’s expected date of giving birth.

Photo: Farm Sanctuary/Farm Sanctuary

A violation would be a misdemeanor punishable by a $1,000 fine or 180 days in jail or both.

Supporters of the measure include many animal welfare organizations, including the Humane Society of the United States and Californians for Humane Farms (which are holding outreach events); Assemblymen Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys) and Mark Leno (D-San Francisco); chef Wolfgang Puck; and actress Daryl Hannah.

Opponents, organized as Californians for Sound Farm Animal Agriculture, say egg prices would rise if the measure passes, and that the practices it would ban, such as the use of veal crates and gestation crates for pigs, are rarely used in California and are being voluntarily phased out this year.

Scott Macdonald, spokesman for the opposing group, told the Sacramento Bee that the initative would be "tremendously expensive and, in fact, drive the egg industry out of the state."

Macdonald noted the proposed law would require a lot more space for hens, which are better kept in cages, farmers say, to control diseases.

-Francisco Vara-Orta

Comments

[sfvrealestate]

I read stories like this and wonder how I can possibly eat meat. Thanks, unleashed.

[Karin O.]

It is great that this will be on the ballot! Keeping animals in such close confinement causes them immense pain and suffering. Animals on factory farms endure the worst abuses, it's about time that there were some laws put in place to protect them. I know that I, along with many other compassionate Californians, will be voting YES in November.

[P Shapiro]

It's cruel and inhumane to confine animals in cages so restrictive they're unable to turn around and extend their limbs. Voters can help prevent this form of cruelty by voting yes on this common sense ballot measure in November.

See www.HumaneCalifornia.org for more info.

[Walker Phillips]

this initiative is absolutely wonderful & exciting! carelessly treating conscious animals as though they were inanimate "products" is a sickening development for humanity. it shows what little regard and respect humans have for living creatures and the natural process of life. and let us not forget that these mega-farms have long since driven your local family farm right out of town! it would be absurd not to pass this measure!

[Sophie Hood]

I hate to imagine a mother pig, a calf or a hen confined to a cage for almost its entire life without ever being able to stretch, lay down or turn around. The thought of it brings instant tears to my eyes.

Truth hurts. And there is yet so much to be learned about the Factory Farm industry, most of which people are not aware of or just don't care enough of.

I used to be one until I joined in on the fight against animal cruelty, at which point I became a vegetarian (one of the best choices I've ever made). I still get upset when I think back to all the meat I used to eat and how careless I was about where they came from.

Voting Yes for the animals will be a good step. But try not eating them. Now that's triumphant!