California Questions Livestock Housing

A ballot initiative sponsored by animal protection groups would give California farmers until 2015 to adapt to these proposals, repots the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

California voters will get to decide this November whether certain livestock in their state have a right to more spacious quarters. The ballot initiative, sponsored by a coalition of animal protection groups including the Humane Society of the United States, would require that egg-laying hens, veal calves, and pregnant sows be provided with enough room to lie down, stand, turn around, and fully extend their limbs.

If passed, the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act would take effect in 2015. The HSUS announced in February that 790,486 Californians had signed petitions supporting the initiative. A total of 433,971 valid signatures are required for a measure to qualify for the November ballot.

The California secretary of state determined in April that there were enough valid signatures to place the act on the November ballot.

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