In November 2006 voters in Arizona will address Proposition 204, sponsored by Arizonans for Humane Farms. That measure would prohibit the confinement of pigs during pregnancy and young veal calves in small crates on factory farms. It would require that the animals have enough room to turn around, lie down, and extend their limbs.
Here is a detailed description of the arguments, for an against, the Humane Treatment of Farm Animals Act ballot proposal. An informal poll on this issue has over 2,000 votes already. See the results so far, and include your vote in the poll.
Advocates of Proposition 204 say that factory farms, not family farms, would be affected because they are the ones using gestation and veal crates that result in animals suffering from muscle atrophy, pressure sores, joint maladies, and frustration. This proposition does not restrict the sale or consumption of meat, not does it change the methods of slaughter of animals for food.
Opponents to Proposition 204 say that this proposal was initiated by out of state special interest groups with anti-meat agendas in an attempt to place unnecessary regulations on Arizona's pork producers. Arizona's livestock producers have strong ethical, regulatory, and economic incentives in place to ensure the proper treatment of the animals under their care.
Read the exact language of Proposition 204, as well as officially posted arguments for and against.
Comments
Thanks for your ariticle about Prop 204! This is a straightforward issue about preventing the cruelest of farming practices in our beautiful state. Confining animals so intensively that they cannot turn around or extend their limbs for long periods of their lives is WRONG. Most European countries (and Florida for that matter) have already banned them because they are cruel. Prop 204 is supported by MAINSTREAM animal protection groups like the Humane Society (9 million members). For a complete list of endorsers, including ranchers and over 100 AZ veterinarians, visit http://www.yesonproposition204 and join me in voting YES ON PROP 204 – it’s a matter of basic decency.
Whatever, you are the same person who drops a 3 lb. live lobster in a boiling pot of water.
Please.
modern animal agriculture and livestock operations are based on science and research,
modern operations are based on $$$$
I’d rather ranchers keep ther jobs here in Arizona. these are animals that are going to die anyway. but of course we all wont be happy until we import all our food from other coutries. yay steak will be 19.50 a pound.
If PETA had their way, we all would never eat meat or discover medicines that save human lives. They were a major backer of this bill. Alot of people should stay home and not vote, because they are way too ignorant to vote.Only an idiot would have voted for 204.