When Californians go to the polls in November they can set a precedent for the rest of the country by ending the worst animal and environmental abuses and simultaneously increasing the safety of our national food supply.
It's an election year and we all know what that means -- big money, big events, and big promises. As the rest of the country listens endlessly to the political propaganda of the last few desperate months before November, California voters are being fed an entirely different mouthful of issues -- the living conditions of the billions of farm animals slaughtered in this country every year. This weekend the Humane Society of the United States will hold a series of cross-country parties to mark the celebration of their historical ballot initiative in California: the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act or Proposition 2.
In case you haven't noticed, the Humane Society represents more than just dogs and cats and has stepped up its campaign to fight a staggering amount of the worst animal abuses from a variety of industries. Proposition 2 is its latest effort to halt the use of battery cages for laying hens, gestation crates for pregnant and nursing pigs, and veal crates. These production methods represent the worst of animal conditions where animals are unable to turn around, spread their wings and limbs, and exhibit other natural behaviors. Yet, these types of confined animal production methods are not just perpetuating misery in farm animals -- they are devastating our environment and jeopardizing the food safety of our entire country.
Such factory farms create living conditions in which animals are sickened by close confinement, lack of fresh air, and improper handling techniques. It is precisely this type of confinement that has led to an increase in the past few decades of human food-borne illnesses including salmonella and contributed to increased antibiotic use in animals, and thus human resistance. Environmentally, manure and wastes from confined animal operations account for three times as much waste as humans produce and often go untreated. This waste is contributing to emissions that are rapidly warming the planet and creating water pollution and "dead zones" nationwide. Proposition 2 is supported by numerous highly regarded environmental, animal, and human health organizations in the country including the Center for Food Safety, the California Veterinary Medical Association, the Sierra Club, and the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Unfortunately, the egg, poultry, and veal industries are attacking the initiative with support from millions of dollars of industry money, by using a variety of health scare tactics that are simply false. In their ballot argument against Proposition 2, the industry opposition describes the initiative as "risky and extreme." They note that "modern housing systems" (battery cages) will protect consumers against salmonella and Avian Influenza and other diseases and that Proposition 2 will "force" hens outdoors. But at least one study has clearly demonstrated that caged systems are in fact the greatest risk factor for salmonella contamination and an additional study demonstrated that industrial poultry production can increase the risk of Avian Influenza. The industry attempts to scare Californians into perpetuating an unsafe and inhumane production system when in reality the industry is likely concerned with its own profits if Proposition 2 passes. In a time when 76 million Americans are stricken by food poisoning every year, the last thing California and the rest of this country needs is a continuation of the status quo.
California is the world's eighth largest economy and a powerhouse state that has a history of passing and enforcing laws that eventually become accepted nationally. When Californians go to the polls in November they can vote to end the most horrific animal abuses and environmental issues in this country. At the same time, they will be exercising their right to stand up for a healthier and safer national food supply that is so desperately needed. I am trusting Californians to vote yes on Proposition 2 and set the standard for animal, environmental, and food safety standards for the rest of the country to follow.
If you can’t beat ‘em, cheat ‘em
Can the USDA really keep our food safe?
Ask Umbra on sex ... chicken sex, that is
Comments
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Tasermons Partner Posted 7:05 am
25 Jul 2008
Most large operations ignore even the current safety and abuse regulations, so how can they be expected to follow any new ones?
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PermieWriter Posted 3:18 am
28 Jul 2008
Unfortunately, California hosts few of America's CAFOs, so most of the animals caught in those horrible systems won't even have that little improvement. But we do have a fair few chicken operations, so it will be something.
I see the pro-cruelty folks have gotten a thumbs-up from the Merced county supes and UC Davis. "If we can't torture chickens, you can't have eggs," they whine. Like all such statements, I don't see any actual farmers on the endorsements list. Damn chem-egg industry and their externalized costs.
Eat what you grow, grow what you eat
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bpbri Posted 11:26 am
01 Aug 2008
-Brian in DC
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Loren Hart Posted 4:54 am
05 Aug 2008
Something can be done, however. And it is being done, thanks to organizations like the Humane Society of the United States, Farm Sanctuary, and millions of concerned citizens all across the globe. Though tens of billions of animals will continue to die each year after having suffered through entire lives spent on these horrible factory farms, there is good reason for hope.
For one, we who oppose factory farming are right in doing so, and we know it. This inspires us to continue pushing on through whatever obstacles we face, and piques the interest of others. For another, it seems to me that most of humanity is on our side. As more and more people learn what really happens on factory farms, the pressure to end these abuses will grow and grow until the government must act to create ever greater degrees of protection for those who are currently victimized by these systems. The current Proposition 2 campaign in California is one example among many of what can be achieved by the collective action of those of us who are committed to the creation of an increasingly just and compassionate world for all beings.
Thanks Meredith for this great post. I, too, "am trusting Californians to vote yes on Proposition 2 and set the standard for animal, environmental, and food safety standards for the rest of the country to follow."
Thanks for everyone's good work,
Loren Hart
Chapel Hill, NC
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amc89 Posted 12:25 pm
25 Sep 2008
http://uncaged.yesonprop2.com/
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caniscandida Posted 4:03 pm
25 Sep 2008
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You can learn about Prop 2, this issue so dear to Ellen's heart, at http://tinyurl.com/4fwemq
Here's a link that will help you find out when Ellen is on your local TV station so you and your family and friends can watch: http://ellen.warnerbros.com/about/whenitson.php
>>
Wayne Pacelle, of the Humane Society of the US, will be a special guest.
Chickens deserve our true friendship! So do fish! So do other sentient beings! Let us learn to be kind.
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