Prop 2 is a California Proposition that is designed to ensure more humane treatment of farm animals.
We went to the website www.humanecalifornia.org and got the following ten reasons why Prop 2 is a good idea.
1) All animals deserve humane treatment, including those raised for food.
It is cruel and inhumane to confine veal calves, breeding pigs, and egg-laying hens in tiny cages barely larger than their bodies. Calves are tethered by the neck and can barely move, pigs in severe confinement bite the metal bars of their crates, and hens are crammed together so tightly they cannot extend their wings. It is simply wrong.
2) Animals built to move should be able to move.
These animals have legs and wings for a reason. Laying hens crammed into cages cannot engage in basic behaviors such as nesting, dust-bathing, or perching.
The Humane Society of the United States, the California Veterinary Medical Association, the State HumaneAssociation of California, and the ASPCA support Prop 2.
3) There are viable, affordable alternatives to cages and crates, so it is unnecessary to subject animals to such inhumane treatment.
For example, the European Union has approved phase-outs for barren cages and crates, and farmers there will be supplying the 500 million people in the 27 member nations.
4) Prop 2 effectively prevents new, destructive industrialized factory farms from moving to California.
Prop 2 will establish California farmers and consumers as national leaders in animal welfare.
5) Prop 2 improves our health and food safety.
Cramming tens of thousands of animals into tiny cages fosters the spread of animal diseases. That’s why the Center for Food Safety, Consumer Federation of America , and Center for Science and the Public Interest, and California Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell back Prop 2.
6) Prop 2 supports California’s family farmers.
California family farmers support Proposition 2 because they believe food quality and safety are enhanced by better farming practices.
7) Major retailers, including Burger King, Wolfgang Puck, and Safeway are increasingly demanding more humanely produced animal products.
The market is drying up for veal, pork, and eggs produced through the most inhumane confinement
8) Prop 2 protects our air and water resources and safeguards the environment.
The American Public Health Association has called for a moratorium on new factory farms because of the well documented human health hazards. Factory farms often spread waste on the ground untreated — contaminating our waterways, lakes, groundwater, soil, and air. Sierra Club-California, California Clean Water Action, and Defenders of Wildlife support Prop 2.
9) The esteemed Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production urged a phase out cages and crates at stake with Prop 2.
After two and a half years of study, this commission, led by a former Kansas governor and including former U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman, opposes the continuation of these
intensive confinement practices.
10) Prop 2 is supported by an incredible coalition of diverse individuals, organizations, and interests.
In addition to the groups named above, the National Catholic Rural Life Conference and Episcopal and Methodist bishops, Presbyterian and other congregational leaders; the California Democratic Party, leading elected officials including US Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, Mayors Antonio Villaraigosa (L.A.), Gavin Newsom (San Francisco), and Heather Fargo (Sacramento) back Prop 2.
Visit YESonProp2.com for a complete listing of Prop 2’s endorsers.
