Friday, October 24, 2008

Should farm animals have rights?

On Nov. 4, California voters will be asked to decide on Proposition 2, an animal rights ballot measure that would grant the farm animals in California the opportunity to spread their hooves and claws, rather than being confined to restrictive cages, as many chickens, sows and veal cattle now are. But because veal and pork are not major industries in California, the battle over Proposition 2 is focused almost exclusively on the state’s henhouses, which opponents say will be hard hit by higher production costs if the measure passes. “This is a well-intended initiative for animals with some very negative unintended consequences for people,” said Julie Buckner, a spokeswoman for Californians for Safe Food, the leading anti-Proposition 2 group. “It’s going to wipe out the California egg farmers, and it’s going to raise the food costs for consumers. And this is at a time when our economy is hurting.” Supporters of the proposition, the first of its kind in the nation, reject those arguments, casting the ballot measure as an act of kindness for animals whose bodies and byproducts usually end up on dining room tables. “If animals are going to be killed for food,” said Wayne Pacelle, the president and chief executive of the Humane Society of the United States, “the least we can do is treat them with decency and give them a semblance of life.” What do you think? Source: NY Times

4 comments:

Some girl named Lindsay said...

they should absolutely have rights. it's completely heart breaking when you look into this issue even further. this animals are horribly mistreated, especially the hens. they keep 6-8 hens that are cramped up in a cage that is the size of a piece of printer paper. they don't get to spread their wings... they never get to see daylight... and many of their feet will never touch the ground! i don't see how anyone who is compassionate about animals could accept this. it's awful! furthermore, these poor animals should not suffer because the morons running our country drove our economy into the ground! if you can't afford to eat eggs from chickens that are treat humanely, then perhaps you re-evaluate your diet.

i would encourage you or anyone else to look into the subject more... the book "Slaughterhouse" by Gail A. Eisnitz is good place to start.

DogsDeserveFreedom said...

I think they should be treated decently. Sure, they are food, but they may as well have a good existance while it lasts.

betty said...

yes they should have rights; and as I live in California; I plan to vote yes on this propositions; the commercials for it are so sad; I think they should be treated with respect

betty

Geri said...

Julie: You have a great little blog going here. I believe pets should have rights, and I also believe animals should be raised humanely. If you're interested in learning more about a program that's doing just that read http://www.newrinkles.com/index.php/archive/promoting-animal-welfare-the-animal-welfare-approved-program/