From Grist.org:

The changes called for in [current California measure] Prop. 2 are small but significant. The ballot wording says simply that Prop. 2 '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.' It would take effect Jan. 1, 2015.

If Prop. 2 passes, its main sponsor, the Humane Society of the United States, expects national reverberations -- and has every intention of helping beat that drum.


Don't tell me giving hens enough room to turn around is too much to ask. I can't wait to see the industry response if it passes -- "If we clip chickens' wings, we can make the cages smaller. Do it."

Something else that bothers me is this quote about "science":

Current space allocations for hens, says [Nancy Reimers, a poultry-industry veterinarian], are "based on the best science."


What are the registers for measuring "science" here? How much of that "science" is "profit"? How much production? Chicken health? Human health? etc. It's painful that someone could even consider using the word "science" in a manner that, without qualification, supports a single cage size. Nicely done. *sigh*

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