Farm Sanctuary Releases Statement on Passage of California's Proposition 2

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PRESS RELEASE

Farm Sanctuary Releases Statement on Passage of California's Proposition 2:

" Monumental Victory for Farm Animals "

Nation's Leading Farm Animal Protection Organization Celebrates

Precedent-setting Phase-out of Factory Farming Confinement Systems in Largest

Agricultural State

 

Last update: 1:12 a.m. EST Nov. 5, 2008

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. & ORLAND, Calif., Nov 05, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- This

evening, Farm Sanctuary, the nation's leading farm animal protection

organization, celebrates a landmark victory for farm animals: the passage of

Proposition 2 in California. The YES on Prop 2 campaign was run by Californians

for Humane Farms, a coalition headed by Farm Sanctuary and the Humane Society of

the United States. This law phases out some of the most restrictive confinement

systems used by factory farms -- gestation crates for breeding pigs, veal crates

for calves and battery cages for egg laying hens -- affecting 20 million farm

animals in the state by simply granting them space to stand up, stretch their

limbs, turn around and lie down comfortably. This evening, Farm Sanctuary's

President and Co-Founder Gene Baur released a statement on the Prop 2 victory:

" The passage of Prop 2 in the country's largest agricultural state marks a

monumental victory for farm animals. This campaign did an amazing job of raising

public awareness about the cruel treatment farm animals endure at the hands of

an industry that has consistently fought meaningful change for animals. Farm

Sanctuary supporters and campaign volunteers have seen California voters respond

with reason and compassion agreeing that all animals deserve humane treatment.

Today marks a significant change in the way we view and treat farm animals and

falls closer in line with public sentiments and values of compassion. We look

forward to seeing these confinement systems phased out nationwide. "

The YES! on Prop 2 campaign has been the greatest undertaking on behalf of farm

animals in U.S. history, raising enough public awareness and support to end

three of the cruelest confinement systems with one ballot measure in spite of

massive funding from the industry--backed opposition. Media outlets throughout

the state and nationwide have covered Prop 2 and thousands of campaign

volunteers have hit the streets consistently during the past several months to

raise public awareness about farm animal protection issues.

Farm Sanctuary was the second largest nonprofit contributor to the YES on Prop 2

campaign. Many Farm Sanctuary members showed their support through individual

donations to Californians for Humane Farms, as well as hundreds of hours of

volunteer time working on the YES! on Prop 2 campaign.

Farm Sanctuary has been instrumental in setting the groundwork for many of the

first victories on behalf of farm animals in California and nationwide, and was

a lead sponsor of two previous successful ballot initiatives in Florida (ban on

gestation crates) and Arizona (ban on gestation and veal crates):

1995 - Farm Sanctuary helps pass a law in California, which prevents dragging,

pushing, holding, or selling downed animals at stockyards and slaughterhouses.

Other states follow California, passing similar laws. The Chino slaughterhouse

investigation that resulted in the largest beef recall in U.S. history led to

prosecution under this original California downer law.

2001 - Farm Sanctuary files a lawsuit with the USDA urging an end to the

marketing of downed cattle for human consumption.

2002 - Farm Sanctuary is a key sponsor of the first-ever ballot initiative to

ban a cruel factory-farming practice in the U.S. This measure bans gestation

crates in Florida.

2003 - At Farm Sanctuary's urging, USDA promulgates a rule to prevent the

slaughter of downed cattle for human food. Farm Sanctuary attorneys later

negotiate settlement of this lawsuit against the USDA in response to the

Agency's no downer rule.

2004 - Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signs SB1520 into law, banning the

force-feeding of ducks and geese to produce foie gras as well as the sale of the

cruel product in California.

2006 - Arizona Voters overwhelming vote Yes on Proposition 204 to ban the use of

gestation crates for breeding pigs and veal crates for calves in the state. Farm

Sanctuary is a leading backer of this campaign.

2008 -- Precedent-setting legal victory achieved when N.J. Supreme Court

unanimously rules that factory farming practices cannot be considered " humane "

simply because they are widely used.

In addition to legislative and legal advocacy work for farm animals, Farm

Sanctuary also operates the largest rescue and refuge network for farm animals

in North America. The organization runs a 300 acre sanctuary in Orland, Calif.

and a 175 acre sanctuary in Watkins Glen, N.Y. where more than 1,400 rescued

farm animals receive round the clock rehabilitative care and lifelong refuge in

optimal habitats. Some of the oldest farm animals in the United States reside at

these sanctuaries where visitors can meet these animals, learn about their

histories, as well as the adverse effects of factory farming, and witness their

social bonds.

More information on Farm Sanctuary's current efforts can be found at

farmsanctuary.org.

Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization.

Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel

practices of the " food animal " industry through research and investigations,

legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and

direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y.,

and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who

have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about

the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at

www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.

SOURCE: Farm Sanctuary

Farm Sanctuary

Tricia Barry, 607-583-2225 ext. 233

Mobile: 607-342-5744

tricia

or

Angela Barker, 607-583-2225 ext. 256

abarker