The factory farming industry has a lot to hide, and when its harmful behavior is exposed, there are inevitable calls for change. Industrial animal agriculture’s practices are irresponsible and repugnant, and out of step with mainstream values. But rather than reflecting and adjusting its behavior to be more aligned with societal norms, industrial animal agriculture is trying to prevent transparency and public discourse.

Agribusiness would do well to remember that it depends on consumers to buy its products, and it should not ignore the old adage: “the only constant is change.” Thus far, there have been three statewide citizen initiatives to address the cruel confinement of animals on farms in the U.S. In all three instances, voters sent a clear message that confining animals in cages and crates so tightly that they cannot turn around or stretch their limbs is unacceptable. But some aggies still don’t get it.

Rather than adapting its practices to fit societal norms and consumer expectations, the factory farming industry continues attempting to squelch public discussion and the democratic process. This industry is seeking to pass misguided legislation to give itself control over how farm animals are treated . This is bad for animal welfare and an affront to basic democratic principals. But unfortunately, it is typical of an industry that engages in cruel and aberrant behavior that cannot stand the light of day.

I was recently in Washington, DC, home to some of our nation’s most revered monuments.

The ideals of our nation are etched in stone throughout the Capitol city, including these words from Franklin Delano Roosevelt: “Men and nature must work hand in hand. The throwing out of balance of the resources of nature throws out of balance also the lives of men.” Industrialized factory farming is terribly out of balance. It subjects animals to intolerable abuse, destroys our environment, and threatens the health and well being of consumers and rural communities.

The factory farming industry has gotten away with its cruel and irresponsible behavior for decades, wielding undue influence over both federal and state legislatures, and exempting themselves from basic humane laws. But some states permit citizens to put issues on the ballot, circumventing legislative bodies controlled by powerful interests. That’s exactly what has happened in California, and on November 4^th, Californians will be voting on Proposition 2, which seeks to outlaw three cruel farming systems – veal crates, gestation crates and battery cages.  

California is the largest agricultural state in the U.S., and it sets national trends, so Proposition 2 will have a wide ranging impact. Agribusiness is spending millions of dollars to confuse voters as it attempts to defeat Proposition 2, but let’s hope that their Orwellian efforts fail and that the cruelty of factory farming is rebuked this Election Day. If you live in California, please vote YES on Prop 2, and urge everybody you know to vote yes too. If you don’t live in California, please urge any Californians you know to vote YES on this basic humane measure.

If we succeed in passing Proposition 2, it will send a powerful message to agribusiness that its wanton disregard for animal welfare is outside the bounds of acceptable conduct in our society. Proposition 2 is a good example of our democracy in action. It’s the most significant initiative ever undertaken to protect farm animals, and will help bring about a new deal for these often forgotten beings.

I’ve written before about the importance of passing Proposition 2 in California, which seeks to end some of factory farming’s cruelest systems (veal crates, gestation crates and battery cages) where animals are confined so tightly that they cannot walk, turn around, or even stretch their limbs. Most citizens oppose animal abuse, and recent polls have shown a majority of Californians support passage of Prop 2.

But agribusiness is dumping millions of dollars into their campaign to mislead voters in attempts to defeat Prop 2. In one 24-hour period last week, they added more than 4 million dollars to their war chest – money they will likely use to air slick commercials and make false assertions that factory farms benefit food safety, workers, animals and the environment. But the empirical evidence tells a very different story. Numerous studies, including a highly respected Pew Commission report that came out earlier this year, describe how industrial animal agriculture harms animals, the environment, consumers and rural communities.

Corporations opposing Proposition 2 are notorious for abusing animals, workers and the environment, and for misleading consumers. They are willing to expend vast resources to maintain the cruel status quo. We don’t have their money, but we have thousands of citizens who are actively engaged in the YES! on Prop 2 campaign.  With less than two months before the election, it is absolutely critical that we do everything we can to enact this basic humane measure. Please get involved today!