Only In California!

If you’re not involved in agriculture in the state of CA, quite likely you’d have some sympathy with chickens in your state. If, on the other hand, you do have some concern with the cost of food, you’d probably be interested in knowing that the cost of fresh eggs, veal and pork will surely be going up in the state thanks to passage of “Proposition 2.” The measure requires that all farm animals, “for all or the majority of any day,” not be confined or tethered in a manner that prevents the animal from lying down, standing up, turning around or extending its limbs without touching another animal or enclosure.

According to Promar International Ltd., animal ag contributes almost 90,000 jobs, $126 million in property taxes and $590 million in income and sales taxes to California each year. The new Confining Animals Initiative will send shivers through the state’s animal agriculture community.

Now, we might recommend taking this one step farther — an American Psychological Assn.-qualified psychologist must be consulted before confining any farm animal. ❖