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Prop. 2 passage worries California egg industry
November 5th, 2008, 4:31 pm · 34 Comments · posted by Pat Brennan, science, environment editor
Even though egg farmers will have six years to comply with Prop. 2, the ballot initiative could have a devastating effect on California’s egg industry, according to industry advocates. (See Prop. 2 voting results here)
The measure, which passed resoundingly in Tuesday’s voting, requires that farm animals be allowed to lie down, stand, fully extend their limbs and turn around freely. Violations could bring fines and other penalties.
The initiative is aimed at veal-raising operations and hog farms as well as egg farmers, but because there is little hog farming and few or no veal operations in the state, it will mainly affect the egg industry, said Bill Mattos, a spokesman for the California Poultry Federation. Operations that raise poultry for food already meet the conditions called for in the initiative, he said.
“The University of California said it would put the egg industry in California as we know it out of business,” he said, referring to a UC Agricultural Issues Center study that appears on the poultry group’s Web site. “Unfortunately it’s going to affect businesses that, frankly, can’t afford to be affected.”
About 19 million chickens are raised for egg laying in California, about 60 percent of them in the central valley and the rest elsewhere in the state, Mattos said, including Riverside County and San Diego County. Those 19 million hens lay 4 billion to 5 billion eggs a year.
About 5,000 people are employed in the $600 million to $700 million industry. Mattos said thousands of jobs could be lost.
Because the egg farmers would have to eliminate the use of cages, driving up production costs, they would be unable to compete with out-of-state operations that have no such requirements, the UC study says.
But Jennifer Fearing, the Yes on Prop. 2 campaign manager, said her group believes the industry will survive.
“We have a lot of confidence that California farmers can make this transition at less than a penny per egg, and with six years to do it,” she said. “California voters have taken a stand for decency and compassion, and that systematic mistreatment of animals on factory farms just cannot continue.”
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This proposition is a joke. If you want free range chickens buy that. Government interference strikes its ugly head again. Don’t complain when jobs are lost. Unbelieveable!
I think we should not be voting on industries that people know nothing about. Whats next we vote on auto body shops.
I was a 4-H person and had 50 laying hens. They need to be in cages or the laying drops off considerably. If this sticks it will be the end of the egg business in California. And ‘ NO’ other states will not follow such a foolish law. If the chickens were being abused they would not be laying so many eggs.
Looks like we just bankrupted California egg producers. They have six years to move out of state.
I bet they are both wrong: certainly they don’t have to do without cages entirely, but ‘just’ a penny per egg isn’t realistic either.
Most likely consumers will continue to pay $.99 – 1.50 for eggs from very unhappy hens in other states. We did a lot to hurt our own economy without much net effect on animal welfare: until consumers care enough to buy free range, industrial complexes will continue factory farming.
The arguments the egg farmers use to oppose Prop 2 requirements are nothing more than absurd scare tactics! They are quick to make ridiculous claims about what it will do to there operations, but offer absolutely no detailed explanation (the “mechanics” of there concern) as to how these claims will “play” out. Most likely, it is because these claims are false and unsubstantiated!
Let us examine a little “logical reasoning” here:
1. If they are required to allow hens to roam free (uncaged), all that they will need to accomplish this is to purchase more farm land acreage for the expansion of “roaming ground” area. This would be a ONE-TIME purchase (NOT an ongoing “production” expense).
2. I currently buy a one-dozen box of “Organic, Cage-Free” Jumbo eggs (the largest eggs available) from Trader Joe’s (here on South Bristol in Santa Ana) for only $3.99. This is probably less than a dollar more than one would pay for the “regular” Jumbo eggs per dozen. BIG DEAL!!! Is this slight increase in price for higher quality, healthier eggs really going to place somebody in the “poor-house” soon??? Not hardly!
But, the whole point of this is that if the farming operation, who supplies Trader Joe’s with these Organic eggs, is able to do so at such a reasonable and affordable price, WHY do these California egg farmers think they can’t do likewise? They are probably many times larger than the operation supplying Trader Joe’s, so it figures that they could do this in mass production operation much more easily and with even less cost per comparable egg than these existing smaller operations could.
Therefore, in light of the above “counter-arguments”, could someone from these farming operations PLEASE explain in detail WHY you feel it can’t be done. Also, why does it have to take SIX YEARS to do this (why such extreme leniency); it really should take no more than ONE YEAR to make necessary transitions. Prop 2 is being to “easy” on these lazy farming operations and there seeming reluctance to some “change” for the better (better for the hens and better for the consumers health)!
Gary Smith
But our daughters can still get an abortion without our permission or knowledge. What a wacky state, animals get better respect than parents…
I pray for our state when chickens are given better that parents. Our daughters can still get an abortion without our consent or knowledge.
It is interesting to note that already many markets, such as Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, etc. ALREADY CARRY EGGS from cage-free hens, or at least, hens that currently fit the upcoming standard that these whining farmers have 6 YEARS to comply with! And in many cases at the same prices or better prices!
It is also interesting to note that while many dairy items, including milk, have drastically dropped in price over the last 2 months (milk has gone down about 15%), eggs are still way up in price!
“California voters have taken a stand for decency and compassion, and that systematic mistreatment of animals on factory farms just cannot continue.”
I am so glad that the voters in CA have taken into consideration the plight of the egg laying chicken. It’s a pity the same voters put less value and importance on an innocent human life than they do on a dumb animal.
This state and the people who vote here are a complete joke to the rest of this country and should be.
I like mine scrambled.
Prop 2 doesn’t call for Free Range Chickens, it calls for larger cages. Didn’t you read it?
Animals are better than most people. As evidenced from some of the statements above.
One measure of a society is how it treats animals…and the issue is not about chickens roaming free, although humane farms allow this….it is about laying chickens having ROOM to turn around & stretch so they are not jammed together increasing their stress, which leads to merciless pecking of other hens, and lower egg production! Educate yourself about factory farming. It is not a pretty industry. You cannot convince me that all that stress and antibiotics make for quality eggs.
.
The “egg industry’s” sole argument against Proposition 2 was based on economics, not animal welfare. It’s hard to fathom anyone who’s SEEN what goes on in factory farms not voting for this measure! Yes, we raise animals to eat them or their eggs…it doesn’t mean they must suffer every moment of their lives!
The arguments against Prop 2 don’t hold water when held to the light of reality, either. The economic impact will not be as severe as the egg industry states (look at the ads they ran–TOTAL BS!).
Thanks, California…from all the helpless animals you’ll make feel a little more comfortable–even if it takes six years!
.
Hey Kevin, don’t do such a lousy job raising your daughter and you won’t have to worry about her getting an abortion. On the other hand, at least the animals are relative slaves to us, the least they can receive is dignified treatment.
I keep 4 egg laying hens in our suburban backyard. They are all heritage breeds which produce more eggs than the 210 per hen per year referenced in the article. They are allowed to wander in our bakyard during the day, keeping the bugs in the yard under control. They are happy and produce far more eggs than our family of 4 can use ourselves, as well as being a source of fun and delight to our children.
In the production industry, cages are necessary to some extent I’m sure, but not the size and restriction currently in practice. I would submit that, from my experience, hens who are treated reasonably will probably produce more eggs thus offsetting the cost of altering the facilities to house them.
Thanks to the ill/mis informed voters who have killed another industry in California.
It amazes me how many posters continue to focus on whether or not hens should be in cages. If you believe strongly that they should NOT be couped up, exercise your mighty dollar to buy free range! I like to buy mine at the Irvine Farmer’s Market. The eggs come from an organic 80-acre farm where they rotate true free range chickens: once the crop is over, they eat the leftovers and fertilize the soil, leaving behind high-quality compost for next year’s crop on that plot. When I can’t get to the farmer’s market for these eggs, I buy ‘cage free,’ although this doesn’t guarantee humane treatment and I know it.
Despite my reverence for hens, I voted NO on prop 2 for the same reason I voted NO on prop 8: we will have a society ruled by the tyranny of the majority if we continue to abuse the proposition system to impose morals on private individuals and businesses. I know many consumers don’t care, many ranchers believe they are doing the right thing, and even with this law passed cheap/uncaring consumers will continue to get their $.99 eggs (imported from other states, of course).
food is what is important to a chicken, if you want a happy chicken give them more food. I never saw a confined space as a problem. I just can’t imagine putting 1,000s of chickens in an enclosed area, it will be total pandemonia plus incredibly unhealthy.
If you want to pay more get the cageless, there is a big difference between eggs based upon their diet. But when we run the chicken industry out of california, the cageless will probably go with it.
These are the Same people that Hired the Best President Ever. I hope he plans on giving me eggs as well as gas and cheaper health insurance… There is no way the producers in CA can stay in business and Now eggs will cost us 4 dollars a dozen due to limited Supply. Gotta Love California!!!
I think the passing of this wonderful. You may think I’m stupid and/or that it’s ridiculous to treat an animal being raised for your consumption is idiotic, but, some of us have hearts and believe a creature already unwillingly condemned to sacrifice its life for a ten minute meal for you may as well learn some form of humanity before its time is up.
Besides, stop complaining over the jobs. A lot of adjusting can be done in the six years farmers were given to comply with this rule.
I’m not uncaring to animals, though I don’t generally get worked up over an animal I’m planning to eat (or an animal whose eggs I’m planning to eat). Personally, I won’t eat veal because I disagree with the methods used to get it. However, since I’m a reasonable adult, I respect your right to disagree with me and order your veal parm.
I can’t believe how free and loose some posters are with my money. (Just like all the folks who keep approving bond measures!) Eggs are only $4 a dozen, spend a little more for your eggs, blah, blah, blah. Call me cheap (though I prefer being called frugal), but $4 for a dozen eggs is pretty expensive if your spouse eats at least two every day at breakfast and you eat a hard boiled egg at snacktime every day. We generally buy five dozen at a time. . .
It seems to me that what this state doesn’t need is yet another regulation added to yet another industry. Ask yourselves, who will regulate and inspect these farms. . .and who will pay the salaries and benefits (vacation, sick pay, health care, retirement, etc.) of these regulators, inspectors (and their travel expenses), office clerical, etc. Why does government continue to grow? Because the voters keep voting to expand it!
California voters were misled and misinformed on this proposition. These same animals that are raised “only” for human consumption, are euthanized as soon as they are no long productive, usually within a year for chickens, but let’s make sure they have all the comforts before they are mass murdered. What were people thinking? Regardless of what the liberal animal lovers try to sell you, passing this was a huge mistake and will hit everyone who consumes these products in the wallet. Oh yes, we will find a way to get these products to consumers, but plan on watching your dollars leave our country to another country’s economy to do so.
I can’t believe people voted yes on this. Do people not read the Props at all?
All they see is a cow being pushed over by a forklift and assume that this is what the prop was about.
I don’t understand people who think abusing animals is ok. Maybe it makes them feel bigger? I don’t know. I’m so glad prop 2 passed. I’m tired of hearing about prop 8. Why was so much money spent on whether or not people should be allowed to marry? Who cares. Isn’t marriage considered a religious thing anyway? People are losing their homes while millions of dollars are spent to fight for or against something so stupid. The more I hear both sides of that argument, the more I hate human beings. Animals are way better.
bgbg: Animals tend to kill the weak, small, and sick that are among them. They are animals and don’t generally behave in a noble fashion at all. And you think they are better than humans?
Have you picked up a newspaper in the last twenty years? MrsHashBrown stated “Killing of the weak, small and sick among them” That is exactly what is reported upon daily in the media. There is very little noble about the human condition. Animals should have rights and yes the animals that I raise are better than most humans.
I personally prefer “dumb animals” to Stupid People…anyday.
I still prefer “dumb animals” to stupid people…anyday. I voted YES for this prop and glad to see “smart people” got it to pass.
Hey animal hater…sure sounds like you just described humans.
But seriously, though. What is soooo wrong with wanting animals to be able to turn around in their cages? I am not a liberal, but I happen to feel bad for animals that are abused.
You seem like a wonderful compassionate person.
The argument about eggs being more expensive is dumb. Maybe you could sell your SUV to buy eggs for your family?
Yay, Prop 2! Yay, Prop 2! Yay, Prop 2! Yay for mrs. hashish being the minority!
People tend to kill INOCENt people just for money!!! An animal would NEVER do that.
bgbg: There is nothing wrong with wanting an animal to turn around in it’s cage. I think that would be quite nice. However, I disagree that we should legislate how another industry does business. If you disagree with the methods used, don’t eat the food produced. As I stated earlier, I would not eat veal because I do not like the methods used to get it. However, I am a reasonable adult and I respect someone else’s right to disagree with me and order veal parm.
As far as the suggestion to sell my SUV to buy eggs. . .sorry you think it’s “dumb” to be concerned about my family’s food bill. I just had our first tater tot and I’m not working, so the cost of goods and services has become very important. Ordinarily, it’s not as pressing; though I would still make the most frugal choices when shopping. But that really strikes to the heart of the matter, doesn’t it? You, and those like you, want to tell me, and those like me, how to live. How about you make choices with your pocketbook and not mine?
For the record, the SUV has been paid off for nearly 10 years; I’m very frugal, remember? Oh noes, it’s a gas guzzler! That will be the next thing to be legislated against. And I’ll vote against that, too. And be called a “wonderful compassionate person” for it.
Angel: Humans killing humans is as old as time; I never said there was anything noble about the human condition. However, as a society we do care for the weak and sick among us. We can argue over how well that is accomplished another time, but the intention is certainly there. Animals kick the runts from their litters. Abandon their sick. Generally they behave as, well, animals. That said, you will probably cite a few examples of animals behaving with compassion. To which I reply, the majority of humans behave with compassion toward their fellow man. Very few (as a percentage) act against their fellow man.
And I’m sorry that the animals you raise are better than most humans. I wish you knew more generous, more compassionate, more loving people. . .I guess I have higher regard for the people I know.
Animal Lover: Money means nothing to an animal, so the comment doesn’t really make sense. Food, however, does mean something to an animal. Try to separate a hungry animal from a meal sometime and let me know how that turned out. And I’m not talking about the family dog.
And, no, people do not “tend to kill innocent people just for money”. That implies that most people do kill others for their money. Crime stats just do not back that one up. . .sorry.
It seems to me that what this state doesn’t need is yet another regulation added to yet another industry. Ask yourselves, who will regulate and inspect these farms. . .and who will pay the salaries and benefits (vacation, sick pay, health care, retirement, etc.) of these regulators, inspectors (and their travel expenses), office clerical, etc.
Why does government continue to grow? Because the voters (like you three) keep voting to expand it!
This sounds like more government socialism. Looks like we will have the same great government as France in no time.