California’s Prop 2 for Farm Animals Handed Landslide Victory
In a historic victory for 20 million animals on California’s farms, Proposition 2 has passed by a landslide in last night’s election. Over 63 percent of California voters favored the “Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act,” which will eventually end the practice of confining certain animals raised for food in crates and cages so small they can barely move.
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Prop 2 requires farms to provide enough space for breeding pigs, egg laying hens, and veal calves to stand up, turn around and extend their limbs. Backed by the Humane Society of the United States, Farm Sanctuary, and supported by California Veterinary Medical Association, the Center for Food Safety, and countless media outlets, including the New York Times, this measure is the largest of its kind for farm animals ever enacted in the United States.
“California voters have taken a stand for decency and compassion and said that the systemic mistreatment of animals on factory farms cannot continue,” said Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. “All animals deserve humane treatment, including animals raised for food.”
The law goes into effect in January of 2015, giving factory farms six years to shift to more humane housing.
As a volunteer for the campaign myself, the passage of this proposition was important to me. Along with an army of activists, I spent over a year on the ground, from the signature gathering phase, all the way to last night’s victory. We can only hope this is just the beginning of better lives for farm animals around the world.
Photo Credit: Laurel Fan on Flickr under Creative Commons license.
Well let me just say that people across the country (Oregon myself) thank Californian’s for their hard work in this campaign! This historic measure will pave the way for similar laws to be enacted across our country!
WOOHOO! I’m so glad it passed.
What a great victory but no effect until 2015? blah. 5 bucks says it never happends.
Animal rights, sounds like something the Roman empire would do during its decline.
What a crock:
only in california, would people be dumb enough to start regulating farms in this way.
The next step will be to stop the killing of animals for meat.
why not enact a meaningfull law with teath
like one that would mandate death sentences to be
carried out withing 24 hours for those who are convicted of drive by shootings, and child molestation.
well with this Prices of all meat products produced in Cali will rise - hurting the Farmers because people will import their meats from Farms in other states that do not have these restrictions
treating animals cruelly is one thing and i abhor it - Putting Restrictions on the ability to Make Veal and Foie gras ( the real agenda of this bill ) is limiting my ability as a culinary artist
- enjoy your $65 steak
If only people had as much concern over the plight of children as they do animals.
Well, my view is different. It is just one more slap in the face of the american farmer and the agricultural industry.
It makes me realize that califorians are ignorant, self-centered and somewhat incapable of competent thought.
However, maybe food prices will increase and this will help fight California’s number one health issue; obesity.
Then again, maybe they are just to dang dumb to breed, so let the starve.
Maybe we can work on protecting children now.
2015? Thats an awfully long time away. Why not 2010? Just makes me think of how many animals will be left in confined crates, etc. for the next 6 years. I say revise the plan to 2010 and make these factory farmers get thei $**t together sooner.
Or better yet Go Veg!