Requires that certain farm animals be allowed, for the majority of every day, to fully extend their limbs or wings, lie down, stand up and turn around. Limited exceptions apply. Fiscal impact: Potential unknown decrease in state and local tax revenues from farm businesses, possibly in the range of several million dollars annually. Potential minor local state enforcement and prosecution costs, partly offset by increased fine revenue.
I wholeheartedly support the intention of this bill. Of course pregnant pigs should have room to turn around. Of course calves raised for veal should have access to the outdoors. Of course chickens should be able to fully extend their wings. Come on, they're animals! How far removed from nature has our society become that we ever took these rights away from the animals?
But here's the problem: this proposition only affects the state of California. As a result, it seems likely that rather than implement the required changes if this measure were adopted, farmers would move their farms to states where these laws don't exist. Other farms would go out of business. Most consumers would be left buying eggs from out of state, or Mexico, produced by chickens that were no better treated than they were in California before Prop 2. Those eggs would probably cost more. So does Proposition 2 really get us anywhere?
Well, yes. I don't think we can possibly justify, even in the name of cheapness, the cruel and inhumane treatment that we're currently inflicting on these animals. Somebody has to take the lead on ending this treatment- and California, which has led on so many ethical issues, should again step up to the plate. Is it unreasonable to hope that other states (or, perhaps, the federal government) will follow suit?
The LA Times and the SF Chronicle both tell us to vote no on Proposition 2, while the NY Times tells us to vote yes. I knew I left my heart in New York.
Note: Oprah's show yesterday featured a segment called "Conscious Choices" about Proposition 2 and the way we eat. I didn't watch it, but you can read a summary and see photos here.
