A new animal rights law in California could ban the sale of eggs, veal, and pork from animals caged in factory farms. Campaigners from the coalition organization, Prevent Cruelty California, are currently gathering signatures to help achieve this goal. If the law is implemented, it will become the most progressive animal rights law in the world, to date.
“[We are] working to place a critical measure on the November 2018 ballot to upgrade California’s laws relating to the extreme confinement of farm animals,” the organization has stated on their website.
In the U.S., a ballot measure system allows individuals and organizations to bypass politician consideration and take their idea directly to the ballot to be voted on. However, this is only possible if a certain amount of signatures are obtained in support of the new law. In the state of California, 365,000 signatures are required before the public can cast their votes. Prevent Cruelty California currently have 200,000, with a final deadline of May 1st. If the strong level of support for the proposed law continues, California could well make history.
“The response has been very positive, most people see it as a no-brainer. That being said, we are all gonna have to hustle,” Carol Misseldine, the campaign’s Northern California Coordinator, told The Guardian.
If implemented, the new law will ensure that gestation crates (sow stalls) and veal crates, become illegal in California. Confinements, such as these, can cause extreme physical restriction and leave lasting bodily damage in addition to psychological problems. The ban would also ensure all hens become cage-free before the end of next year, with a minimum of freedom to move in an open barn floor or multi-level indoor aviary.
“[T]his is history in the making”, claimed Josh Balk, the vice-president of farm animals protection for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). The San Diego Humane Society agreed with Balk, stating, “[t]his is the greatest shot farm animals have ever had.”
