Guest guest Posted January 19, 2002 Report Share Posted January 19, 2002 Even if this doesn't pass, or even make the ballot, it seems to me it has the potential to educate a lot of people in Florida! Friday January 18 11:02 AM ET Pregnant Pig Protection Makes Headway TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Reuters) - Animal rights groups won a victory when the Florida Supreme Court (news - web sites) cleared the way for a statewide vote on whether pregnant pigs can be kept in close confinement. By a unanimous vote, the state's highest court ruled Thursday that a proposed constitutional amendment protecting sows from immobility is succinct and accurately portrayed, two criteria necessary to put the issue before voters in a referendum. At the center of controversy are gestational crates in which the animals are housed for much of their lives. Farmers say the crates allow them to keep more pigs in smaller areas, increase production and reduce the cost of labor and feed. Research cited by opponents of the practice say the crates prevent pigs from turning around, causing psychological and physical problems ranging from chronic stress to urinary infections. With court approval in hand, backers of the petition led by Pompano Beach-based Floridians for Humane Farms, a coalition of animal rights groups, need 488,722 signatures to put to the issue to voters in November. So far, backers say they have 235,000. Send FREE video emails in Mail! http://promo./videomail/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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