California votes: hens must be cage-free by 2022
USA, 7 November 2018 - California voters overwhelmingly approved a measure Tuesday requiring that all eggs sold in the state come from cage-free hens by 2022
8 November 2018
2 minute read
By: Words Jocelyn Gecker
The Associated Press reported that despite the potential for increased egg prices and a cost of $10 million a year to enforce the new legislation, California will make cage-free egg production a legal requirement by 2022.
Proposition 12, dubbed the Prevention of Cruelty to Farm Animals Act, also bans the sale of pork and veal which has been raised in cages which do not meet the new size requirements. This new legislation will also apply to out-of-state farmers who sell their eggs and meat in California.
“Change is coming,” said Josh Balk, vice president at the Humane Society of the United States, which sponsored and financed the measure. “This vote is a massive blow against industrial animal agriculture’s abusive confinement systems.”
Compassion in World Farming likewise issued a news release showing support for the vote.
"As a direct result of the time, energy, and resources animal advocates and volunteers put into this campaign, millions of farmed animal lives across the country will be meaningfully improved. And because California represents the fifth largest economy in the world, there is no doubt that this victory will send shockwaves through the factory farming industry," said CIWF in a news release
Ryan Johnson
Ryan worked in conservation from 2008 to 2017, during which time he operated a rainbow trout hatchery and helped to maintain public and protected green spaces in Canada for the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. As editor of The Poultry Site, he now writes about challenges and opportunities in agriculture across the globe.
