A coalition of animal rights groups is pushing for a ballot initiative in California, which would require all eggs that are sold in the state to come from cage-free laying systems.
The coalition is also seeking to prohibit the sale of pork from farms that use gestation stalls and veal from farms where calves are kept in crates.
According to a press release from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the coalition, known as Prevent Cruelty California, has filed ballot language that seeks to change the laws. Once the California Secretary of State issues a ballot title and summary, the collation will seek the 365,880 signatures required to have the measure put on the ballot for the state’s November election.
Proposition 2 doesn’t do enough, HSUS says
Voters in California approved a ballot measure known as Proposition 2, which requires that all eggs produced in the state be laid by hens that have adequate room to stand up, sit down, turn around and extend their limbs without touching another bird or the sides of the cage. Similar requirements were established for pigs and calves used in pork and veal production.
Two years later, the California legislature enacted AB 1437, which called for the same egg production standards for all eggs sold in the state.
The two California laws went into effect in 2015.
But Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of HSUS, said Proposition 2 and AB 1437 are not sufficient and new laws are needed. He believes any use of cages and crates is cruel and compromises food safety.
“Despite some progress on animal welfare in California, we have more to do and there is a clear need to upgrade the law to protect farm animals and consumers,” Pacelle said in the press release.
Under the proposed ballot measure, enriched laying systems would also be illegal. It would also outlaw the sale of veal and pork from operations that use crates.
Timelines associated with potential law
If the law becomes placed on the ballot and is approved by voters, it would require that by December 31, 2021, all eggs produced and sold in California must come from cage-free hens, requiring that within one year of enactment, eggs sold statewide would have come from birds given one square foot of space each.
Also, by December 31, 2021, all pork sold in the state must come from farms that don’t “lock pigs in gestation crates,” the HSUS press release stated.
Veal sold in California must come from farms that don’t use veal crates by December 31, 2019.
Prevent Cruelty California members
In addition to HSUS, the following organizations are affiliated with Prevent Cruelty California: San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, San Diego Humane Society, Marin Humane, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Center for Food Safety, Mercy for Animals, The Humane League, Compassion in World Farming, Animal Equality, Compassion Over Killing, Animal Protection and Rescue League, and Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association.
On its website, Prevent Cruelty California states that the coalition is “growing.”
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