The Center for Food Safety today applauded California voters, who turned out in record numbers in favor of Proposition 2. In a striking victory, the measure passed with a nearly 2/3 majority. California becomes the first state in the country to ban battery cages, also known as “laying cages”, in which hens are kept in cramped containment and often subject to disease-ridden conditions. The state also joins four others in banning veal crates and two more in banning gestation crates, tight enclosures used to breed pigs. The Center was a principal co-sponsor of the measure, which was initiated by the Humane Society of the United States.

“The voters have spoken,” said Rebecca Spector, West Coast Director for the Center for Food Safety. “They’ve decided overwhelmingly that food safety and compassion for animals takes precedence over factory farm profits.”

The newly-passed proposition requires that farm-raised animals be provided with better living conditions and increased mobility. This includes calves raised for veal, egg-laying hens and pregnant pigs. Under the measure, confinement must at least allow the animals to lie down, stand up, fully extend their limbs and to turn around freely. Failure to comply with these new regulations-except in transportation, research and veterinary situations-could mean misdemeanor penalties, fines up to $1,000, and/or imprisonment for up to 180 days.

Until now, farm animals have often been confined in ways that minimize space and maximize capacity, supposedly increasing farm profits. Despite the appearance of revenue-saving benefits, these practices have been known to accelerate the spread of disease among animals and impact the quality of food derived from these animals.

“These barbaric practices have been tremendously detrimental-not only for the animals but for consumers as well,” added Spector. “Nobody wants to eat food from sickly, diseased animals, no matter how much it lowers cost. The risk potential is just too high. Californians have acknowledged this in record numbers and we’re excited to see real changes move ahead.”

Prior to the election, the Center for Food Safety joined The Humane Society of the United States, United Farm Workers of America, California Veterinary Medical Association, and Consumer Federation of America in support of Proposition 2. The Center believes that these new regulations will help promote safer food products as well as improved animal welfare.

The Center for Food Safety is national, non-profit, membership organization founded in 1997 to protect human health and the environment by curbing the use of harmful food production technologies and by promoting organic and other forms of sustainable agriculture. On the web at: http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org