Humane Society sues University of California

The [HSUS] said Friday it filed a lawsuit in Yolo County Superior Court in Woodland to force the University of California to make public documents that the society contends would reveal “potentially unlawful campaign activities by (UC) staff regarding Proposition 2...” That proposition on the Nov. 4 ballot, called the Standards for Confining Farm Animals Initiative, would amend the state’s Health and Safety Code to prohibit the confinement of certain farm animals that does not allow them to turn around freely, lie down, or stand up and fully extend their limbs. It would apply to three types of confinement: veal crates, battery cages, and sow gestation crates. If approved by state voters, the statute would go into effect Jan. 1, 2015. The Humane Society said in its lawsuit that the University of California Agricultural Issues Center recently published a report that predicted myriad economic outcomes for industry and consumers if Prop. 2 passes in November, and that the UC system’s promotion of the report emphasized negative aspects of the study’s claims, while downplaying its conclusion that California consumers would see “little to no impact” on food prices if Prop 2 passes.... An organization called Californians for Safe Food formed to oppose Proposition 2 includes a coalition of agribusiness, veterinarians, labor unions and grocers, according to its website. They contend Prop. 2 would undermine animal welfare and food safety by increasing the risk of salmonella, forcing dependence on eggs grown in Mexico and driving up food costs.