 |
| Eggs Lovely Eggs! |
"The State of California will end the sale of eggs from out-of-state battery cage facilities beginning January 1, 2015.
On Tuesday, July 6, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law Assembly Bill No. 1437, which requires all sales in California of shell (whole) eggs for human consumption to comply with the state’s Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act. This act prohibits the confinement of egg-laying hens in a manner that does not allow the birds to fully extend both wings without touching the side of an enclosure or other egg-laying hens, effectively banning the use of battery cages.
The Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act, also known as Prop 2, was brought into law through a successful November 2008 state-wide ballot measure. It phases out the use of battery cages by Californian egg producers by January 1, 2015, while the new assembly bill extends that ban to out-of-state producers selling to consumers in California.
The Associated Press reports Schwarzenegger as saying the new law is a positive step both for California egg producers and for animal welfare. With just under 40 million consumers, California is the most populous state in the nation. Observers expect AB1437 to have significant impacts on egg production methods outside of the state."
End Quote
Oooops I forgot to link but now it's in place...
This is from HERE : the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Page. Our Other twin daughter has a degree in Sustainable Agriculture. We are dancing over this victory for the hens because there was,of course, a protracted fight by Industry to have the law thrown out.
"Animals" magazine ran an article about a local egg ranch who started making the transition before hand, not waiting for the overtime end around play to get stomped, which it did.
Many farmers actually don't want to treat animals the way that has been pushed by the largest Agribusinesses like Tyson, for one.
Big Agri, once the farmer was heavily in debt to them by making changes that were demanded, and in order to do the only business around (i.e. with big agribusiness firms like Tyson) they in turn forced a lot of things on farmers that no normal human being can stand.
I'm glad to see that this tide of filthy practices is changing. Now to keep meats and other animal products out of the United States, from non conforming nations. Agribusiness is moving off shore.
Europe and Britain are way ahead of us in this. They are closer to being REAL human beings apparently. But a fight against such horrors can be won, and I'm glad to see California began this under a Republican and it's enacted and enforced under a Democrat. We are all together in this! And that, my friend, is good for all of us.
The people won this one. Power to the People!
Well it is a small step but it is still a step.
ReplyDeleteDarn Right, Wendy.
ReplyDeleteSince California is home to a huge industry for production of fresh eggs, and since other states have enacted or are in the process of enacting similar laws, soon cage free will be nationwide and become the norm. And now, egg rancher/farmers like Hilliker can feel better about a lot of things.
So glad to read this - yay California!!!!!!! There is so much animal cruelty in the world, now there's a bit less.
ReplyDeleteAnd it really is people power. If people who buy cheap eggs would ever look at, smell and taste the egg from a "normal" chicken they would be amazed at the difference. I am so lucky to have a good source for eggs and meat from a farm nearby that lets their animals still be animals.
Karen, meet Wendy. She and her Hubster have a traditional small farm. And yes, Yay California! People power is beautiful when it works for the good.
ReplyDeleteNot to go all religious on anyone, but the Sabbath is for the other animals, too. The Mighty One who laid down that 10 Commandments did say so. All creation is, therefore, not beneath the notice of the Creator.