Home › Opinion › Editorials
Farmers would bear the brunt of Proposition 2
Our view: The initiative would drive farms out of state while doing little for animals.
Now here's a bit of scrambled thinking.
In countering industry assertions that Proposition 2 would raise grocery costs, the measure's proponents argue that its limit on the caging of hens will not raise prices - because after the law shuts down California's largest egg farms, the state will simply import most of its eggs.
More Editorials 
In other words, the chickens will be no better off. They'll just be mistreated in Iowa or Arizona instead of in California.
We respect the sentiment that drives the Humane Society of the United States to push for better treatment of farm animals through Proposition 2, which would set tough new standards for the confinement of veal calves, breeding pigs and egg-laying hens on California farms. The sad fact is modern-day factory farms are not pretty places, and if we looked closer at them, most of us would think twice before ordering an omelet.
But there's a simple and increasingly popular solution for consumers - "free-range" or "cage-free" eggs available at most grocery stores. They cost more, but for many shoppers, a clear conscience is worth the price. (And for serious egg-lovers, a fresh dozen from the farmers market or a chicken-loving neighbor can't be beat.)
Choosing to eat mindfully is one thing. Driving legitimate businesses out of the state is quite another. The Humane Society says egg production is a tiny fraction of the state's ag sector, but that's little consolation for the egg farmers facing banishment.
If health, safety and decency demand higher farm standards, let's apply them nationally - not strike one more self-inflicted blow against the California economy. Proposition 2 is well-intentioned, but it will hurt the state's farmers while doing little for the animals it means to help.
Posted by silverblack23 on October 6, 2008 at 7:11 a.m.
here's the real goal of the anti-business, anti-capitalist proponents of Prop 2, who are also the supporters of Obama/Biden: "... because after the [new] law shuts down California's largest egg farms ...' -- the whole goal of these extreme liberal 'feel good' self-righteous 'I'll tell you how to live' Democrats is to shut down businesses in favor of small 'collectives' serviced by 'community organizers'
Posted by richsteele on October 6, 2008 at 7:59 a.m.
They don't have the time to balance the budget. But they have the time to listen to a far left special interest group on something as idiotic as this. The Assembly people that wasted time putting this together should be recalled.
Posted by willie on October 6, 2008 at 10:09 a.m.
silver & steele - typical republican responses --
Posted by freedomgirl on October 6, 2008 at 10:58 a.m.
Some moderation is needed here I think.
While I don't foresee Sunnybrook Farm settings, I do think it would be much better for all God's creatures to be respected for their contribution to our food chain. And if one farm could not handle all the needs of the state or nation, what harm would it be to "import from another state or nation" which is already done anyway?
Yes, farming/ranching is a business but even non-farm businesses have regulations they have to follow concerning the humane treatment of workers and animals used in that work.
Moderation in all.
Posted by thehermit on October 6, 2008 at 11:03 a.m.
The loones want to socialize every thing...thats why they will vote for Obama and his lefty friends hiding in the back room.
Posted by freedomgirl on October 6, 2008 at 11:03 a.m.
I meant to say , If California farms cannot supply all of our needs, why not import? And to those that say what about the animals in other states being raised in less than humane conditions, I'm sure in no time at all, those states will feel the pressure to follow some humane treatment practices of their own. It won't be the first time California has swayed the nation.
Posted by almdgrl on October 6, 2008 at 11:20 a.m.
Farmers and Ranchers do have regulations. It is these regulations that they follow to allow these food producing chickens to have the comfort required to produce eggs. Look at it this way. If you (a person) are not comfortable at work, you are non productive. It is to your employer’s advantage to keep you comfortable so you are productive at your office or job. Same goes for chickens. If they were uncomfortable, they would not produce eggs. Farmers keep them comfortable in controlled environments regulated by state standards. And no we don't want to import if we can buy it here. Just think of the fuel and time required to get it here. What good is that doing for our environment that you are so concerned with?
Posted by thehermit on October 6, 2008 at 12:39 p.m.
Dont worry...China will provide us with eggs.
Posted by gpep3 on October 6, 2008 at 4:37 p.m.
as a former organic farmer I can say that raising animals in crowded conditions means more anti-biotics to slow the spread of disease. Waste from factory farms pollutes the ground with antibiotics, and phosphorous, which finds its way into rivers and oceans.
Humanely raised animals can be done right here in California, at reasonable prices. Its a good idea, the right thing to do. You will be healthier for it. Less cancer, fewer abnormal pre-teen girls who menstrate and lactate at ten and eleven years.
Posted by Kadia on October 7, 2008 at 7:55 p.m.
Prop 2 is, quite simply, the right thing to do. It is the LEAST that the animals we use for food deserve,
The industrialized egg industry has become consistently worse in terms of animal welfare. Voluntary standards and attempts to pass legislation have not worked. That's why voters must stand up to fight animal abuse directly.
There is clear evidence that Prop 2's standards will benefit animal welfare, food safety, and the environment, as well as evidence that coverting to the new standards need not be costly. (An CA egg industry economist estimated it would cost about 1 penny per egg to go cage free.) Since many of the producers opposing Prop 2 already have cage free operations, and since we already import nearly half of our eggs, the claims of catastrophe ring false.
Prop 2 is endorsed by veterinarians, the Center for Food Safety, the Pew Commission on Industrial Agriculture, the Center for Science in the Public Interest, the Sierra Club, family farmers, religious leaders, and more.
Learn the truth--and the myths--at YesonProp2.org.
(Requires free registration.)
We're happy to offer a home for your discussions, but please be respectful and follow the house rules:
Stay on topic - Life's too short to waste.
Be nice - If you want your comment gems to survive, you won't defame, threaten or be abusive to other readers or the subjects of our stories. Victims have feelings too. Out of concern for them, we may not allow comments on certain stories.
Keep it clean - This is a public forum, open to civil adults and children who do not appreciate your vulgarities or obscenities.
You are deputized - Police these comment threads. If you see a comment that violates the rules, click "Suggest removal" to flag that comment for review by our staff.
There are consequences - Rule violators may be banned from commenting.
Click here for our full user agreement.
If you wish to participate in off topic discussions, please go to the Redding.com Forums.