Prop 2 – STANDARDS FOR CONFINING FARM ANIMALS

My Summary: I’ll take this straight from the voter guide: “Requires that calves raised for veal, egg-laying hens and pregnant pigs be confined only in ways that allow these animals to lie down, stand up, fully extend their limbs and turn around freely.”

My Opinion: First of all, I think there is a clear distinction between humans and animals. Animals shouldn’t be tortured, but I don’t think they are equivalent to humans. So is there really a problem with animal treatment? From what I’ve read California law already calls for the humane treatment of animals, so I’m leery of why we need a ballot proposition to fix this “problem.” A ballot proposition seems like a stupid way to address this. Why not do it in the legislature where the politicians could work with poultry and dairy farmers? Personally, I think it’s somewhat of a power grab by animal rights activists. An ad on tv shows a forklift rolling a cow over on the ground. Obviously that’s unacceptable, and it’s probably against California law right now, but why do they show that in the commercial when the bill is about animal housing? To tug at your heart strings and make the farm, dairy, and poultry people look evil. That’s disingenuous.

I actually find the economic effects more compelling. I’ll copy and paste a couple I found at Ballotpedia:

A May 2008 study by Promar International that was commissioned by opponents to Prop. 2 estimated the fiscal impact of the measure on the California agriculture industry and consumers. This study concluded:

* 95% of the California egg industry and accompanying economic output would be lost by 2015.
* The total current economic output of the industry is $648 million and 3,561 jobs.
* Egg production costs would increase by 76%.

There was also a UC Davis study that estimated the cost of eggs would increase by 25%, but it would be a mute point because most of the egg producing farms would just move out of state. Overall the impact to the California economy would be a big negative. Instead of getting our eggs from our local economy, we would get more from out of state than we do now, and possibly Mexico.

Bottom Line: I don’t think an issue like this should be decided by a poorly worded proposition. If the legislature thinks this is a big issue, then they can duke it out and make some laws (that’s their job!).

I am voting NO on Prop 2.

Make sure you visit Geeky Weekly for his take on Prop 2.