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Rabbit Advocacy Animal Matters
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Historic Victory for Farm Animals! Prop 2 Passes in California
Congratulations to animal protection advocates throughout the country for getting the word and the vote out for farm animals! In a historic victory, California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 2, a landmark measure that bans three of the cruelest factory farming confinement systems battery cages, veal crates and gestation crates -- in the state by 2015. By a vote of more than 60 percent Californians sent a clear message to big agribusiness that cruelty to animals is unacceptable. While Prop 2 will curtail the suffering of millions of animals in California, the repercussions throughout the country promise to be even more profound: As California goes, so goes the rest of the nation. California’s new law against farm animal cruelty holds the potential to spark an unstoppable precedent for change in the way farm animals are treated nationwide. Although veal crates, gestation crates and battery cage confinement systems have been banned throughout Europe, they remain common across most of the U.S. With the passage of Prop 2, California becomes the 5th state to outlaw gestation crates (joining Florida, Arizona, Oregon and Colorado) and the third to outlaw veal crates (joining Arizona and Colorado). Perhaps most significantly, it becomes the first state to ban battery cages for laying hens, who are killed in far greater numbers than either pigs or calves. Debeaked shortly after hatching and crammed five or more into a cage the size of a filing drawer, each laying hen is provided less space than a sheet of typing paper to live her entire life. Now, California egg producers will be required to provide birds with enough space to turn around, stand up and spread their wings. This ban on battery cages sets the stage for other states to follow in California’s path—ultimately affecting many millions more animals a year. The impact of California’s passing of Prop 2 will be significant, and the efforts of animal protection advocates across the country toward its passage will continue to send ripples across the nation. Thank you to everybody who gave their time and energy to help achieve this phenomenal victory. Together, we are making a difference!
To read Gary Francione’s blog: http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/?p=277 What to Do on Proposition 2?Dear Colleagues: I am getting a large number of inquiries about whether animal advocates in California should vote for Proposition 2 given that it is already on the ballot. On balance, it is my view that animal advocates should vote against Proposition 2 (or at least abstain from voting on it at all). I base my view on three reasons: First, Proposition 2 will do nothing to reduce animal suffering in the short term. Proposition 2 will not even come into effect, if at all, until 2015. Proposition 2 has numerous exceptions and qualifications and even if it does come into effect at some point in the distant future, and even if it is enforced, it will result in no meaningful reduction in animal suffering. Second, Proposition 2, if passed, will only make the public feel better about animal exploitation and will result in increased exploitation. Animals will continue to be tortured; the only difference will be that the torture will carry the stamp of approval from the Humane Society of the United States, Farm Sanctuary, and the other animal welfare corporations that are promoting Proposition 2. It is telling that approximately 100 farming organizations are supporting Proposition 2. Why do you think that is? The answer is plain. These producers believe that Proposition 2 will help their “bottom line.” And it will. Third, it is important for animal advocates to send a clear message to the Humane Society of the United States, Farm Sanctuary, and other groups to stop promoting measures like Proposition 2. If HSUS is really concerned about animal suffering, then it should perhaps spend a chunk of its $223 million in assets and $124 million in revenues on vegan education. Veganism reduces the demand for animal products and helps to shift social attitudes away from the notion that it is morally acceptable to use animals as long as we do so “humanely.” That view results in nothing but continued and increased animal use. It is time that advocates just said “no” to it. It is time to demand more from the organizations that purport to represent the ideals of animal advocates than cheap campaigns that produce headlines and swollen coffers, but do nothing to provide meaningful protection for animal interests and do not in any way undermine the property status of animals. Creative, nonviolent vegan education is the best way to reduce animal suffering and death in the short term and in the long term. Increased veganism is the only means to achieve the abolition of animal exploitation. Efforts like Proposition 2, which make the consumption of animals more acceptable, will only reinforce speciesism and the notion that it is morally acceptable to consume nonhumans as long as we do so “humanely.” The decision about how to vote on Proposition 2 is not one that requires that advocates choose between more animal suffering or less. It is a choice between continuing to promote the “happy meat” movement that is taking things in the wrong direction or getting down to serious animal advocacy that will really make a difference. Animals advocates should not vote for Proposition 2. © 2008 Gary L. Francione
November 04, 2008 PETA On the other side of the country, Question 3 passed, which will ban greyhound racing in the state of Massachusetts by 2010. We have long supported the fabulous team of activists there and thank all of you who have worked so tirelessly to see this victory become a reality. Dogs who are used for racing typically spend 20 hours per day confined to cages measuring only 32 in. by 42 in. by 34 in. Many of the dogs can't even stand completely upright. The animals are also highly susceptible to injuries, including fractures, dislocations, lacerations, and amputations. And because injured dogs are no longer of use to the industry, they are often simply killed. The impact of both these important initiatives is tremendous for the millions of animals whose lives will be affected by them. Comment: One can make a difference – keep fighting the good fight. May 14, 2012 Lawsuit Seeks Foie Gras Ban in U.S Animal welfare group says Costco egg supplier mistreats hens Revise EU Experiments Law to Replace Animal Use Humane Society International More than 12 million animals suffer and die each year in research and testing laboratories across the European Union, yet many are denied even minimal protection under EU law, such as the requirement to use available alternative methods. This is because the existing legislation—Directive 86/609—is out of date, and applies only to “product-related” tests using “living vertebrate” animals, which broadly excludes all forms of scientific research, teaching and training, as well as experiments using sentient non-vertebrate and foetal animals. HSI Europe has been at the forefront of the campaign to update the 20-year-old law, and is calling for the EU to establish a world-leading Centre of Excellence in non-animal research to accelerate the development of more ethical and reliable research methods. In May 2008, we co-hosted an event in the European Parliament alongside the Dr. Hadwen Trust for Humane Research and world-renowned primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall, at which we presented the Parliament with a petition signed by 150,000 EU citizens, together with our joint report, Towards a European Science Without Animal Experiments. In addition to our demands regarding animal replacement efforts, HSI Europe is calling on the EU to ensure that the revised animal experiments directive:
Comment: Our treatment of other species is beyond reprehensible. We’re truly in the Dark Ages, but fight we will, until there is justice and peace for all creatures. Humane Myth public is misinformed, deceptive & false advertising complaints - read more! “A lie travels halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes…” attributed to Mark Twain October 3, 2011 Chilcotin Harvest: Meat Recall; humane washing March 2012 USDA's Process Verified Program comes under fire Some 2011 victories for animals Comment #2: Progress is slow, but every little bit makes a difference. In early February, 2012, Animals Australia reported that citizens have been relentless in their efforts to give a voice. The Labor Party is now going to establish an Independent Office of Animal Welfare. http://www.animalsaustralia.org/features/new-independent-office-for-animal-welfare.php Here in B.C., Carmina Gooch and other animal have been meeting with government representatives to get new legislation on the books. In 2011, the Liberal government promised to improve animal welfare and protection in the province. Sled Dog Task Force Report |