Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is Californians for Humane Farms?
Californians for Humane Farms is sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States, Farm Sanctuary and other animal protection groups, family farmers, veterinarians, and public health professionals, who have joined together in an effort to launch a statewide initiative for the November 2008 ballot—one that will improve the lives of millions of farm animals in California.

What will this measure do?
The Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act provides the most basic protection to farm animals: merely allowing them to turn around and extend their limbs. It's hard to imagine a more moderate initiative. The purpose of the measure is to prevent three of the most cruel and inhumane forms of extreme confinement in the world of animal agribusiness: veal crates, battery cages, and gestation crates. All three of these practices have already been legislated against in the European Union.

What are veal crates?
In order to produce veal, calves who would normally still be nursing are taken from their mothers. For the four months before they're slaughtered, the calves are typically tethered by their necks in crates too narrow for them to turn around or even lie down in comfortably. Prevented from engaging in their natural behaviors or from satisfying basic psychological needs, calves crated for veal suffer immensely.

Not only has the American Veal Association now recommended that the industry phase out the confinement of calves in veal crates, but the largest veal producer is ending its use of veal crates. The company's CEO asserts that veal crates are "inhumane and archaic practices that do nothing more than subject a calf to stress, fear, physical harm and pain."

What are battery cages?
California has approximately 19 million egg-laying hens. The vast majority of them are confined in barren battery cages that are so small they can barely move. In fact, each caged hen has less space than a sheet of letter-sized paper on which to live for more than a year before she is slaughtered.

The birds can't even spread their wings, let alone nest, dust bathe, perch, or walk. They endure lives filled with suffering.
Poultry scientist Dr. Ian Duncan states unequivocally: "Battery cages for laying hens have been shown (by me and others) to cause extreme frustration, particularly when the hen wants to lay an egg. Battery cages are being phased out in Europe and other more humane husbandry systems are being developed."

How will egg-laying hens be housed if they must be able to turn around and fully extend their limbs?
Cage-free housing usually provides hens 200-300 percent more space per bird. The animals are able to walk, spread their wings, and lay their eggs in nests—all behaviors permanently denied to hens confined in battery cages.  Several California egg producers already operate cage-free egg farms

What are gestation crates?
During their four-month pregnancies, nearly 20,000 female breeding pigs in California are confined in barren gestation crates—individual metal stalls only two feet wide. The crates are so small that the animals cannot even turn around. Barely able to move, the pigs develop crippling joint disorders and lameness.

Renowned farm animal expert Dr. Temple Grandin agrees that gestation crates are problematic, stating that, "Basically, you're asking a sow to live in an airline seat. . . . I think it's something that needs to be phased out."

Doesn't the gestation crate protect the mother pig from rolling or stepping on her piglets?
No. A typical sow is locked in a gestation crate for nearly her whole four-month pregnancy. Right before giving birth, she is moved from the gestation crate into a farrowing crate—a metal stall designed to separate her from her nursing piglets. After the piglets are weaned prematurely, the sow is re-impregnated and confined once again to a gestation crate. Farrowing crates are exempted from this proposed initiative.

How will female breeding pigs be raised if they must be able to turn around and fully extend their limbs?
Many farmers already raise pigs without using gestation crates, so there is no reason why those currently using gestation crates here in California can't do the same. In fact, the nation's largest pig producer—Smithfield Foods—is ending its confinement of pigs in gestation crates, and its competitor Cargill already raises more than half of its breeding sows without gestation crates. When gestation crates aren't used, pig producers generally use a group housing system where the sows are kept together in more spacious conditions, where they at least have room to turn around and extend their limbs.

Why focus on veal crates, battery cages, and gestation crates?
These three practices are among the cruelest confinement techniques used on factory farms—both in terms of the intensity and duration of confinement. Keeping animals so restrictively crated that they barely move for months on end is cruel and inhumane.

Why launch this initiative in California?
The Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act will reduce the suffering of nearly 20 million animals confined on California factory farms. The measure will also prevent other out-of-state factory farm operators from setting up shop in our state with veal crates, battery cages, and gestation crates.

Florida, Arizona, and Oregon have banned gestation crates, and Arizona has also banned veal crates. Major California food retailers are moving away from supporting battery cages and veal and gestation crates. What's more, California city councils have passed resolutions opposing battery cage confinement.

Will this initiative put farmers out of business?
This measure targets large factory farms that have displaced smaller, independent family farms. Not only will this effort prevent animal cruelty, it can help protect small farmers from massive animal factories. Furthermore, producers will have six years—until 2015—to phase out these cruelest confinement practices, allowing ample time for the transition.

How do these factory farms affect public health?
The tolls factory farms exact on public health are well-documented. In 2003, the American Public Health Association passed a resolution urging officials nationwide to adopt a moratorium on factory farms. Studies have found that neighbors report more frequent occurrences of headaches, excessive coughing, diarrhea, and burning eyes as well as respiratory problems, weakness, and nausea. Furthermore, recent studies have found that children who attend schools near factory farms suffer increased incidences of asthma.

Will food prices increase if this initiative passes?
Published research as well as an analysis by a California-based poultry economist (see page 4) show that it costs producers less than one additional penny per egg not to confine laying hens in battery cages. While it's possible that giving these animals better living conditions may increase consumer prices by a few pennies per dozen, the hidden cost of such inhumane confinement is increased cruelty, and it's the animals who are paying that extra price.

How do factory farms impact the environment?
Factory farm waste is a major pollution issue. Each year in the U.S., confined farm animals produce almost 500 million tons of manure, which frequently pollutes water and air and, in the process, harms rural communities.  Factory farm waste also emits greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change.  Ending the most intensive confinement practices will result in fewer animals and less manure in each facility.

What's the fiscal impact of the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act?
According to California's Legislative Analyst's Office, the measure would result in "probably minor local and state enforcement and prosecution costs, partly offset by increased fine revenue." 

How can I help?
Visit www.humanecalifornia.org for more information on how to support this historic initiative.

Contact director@humanecalifornia.org for more information on how to help, including door-to-door canvassing, securing campaign endorsements, fundraising, etc.

Californians for Humane Farms
6311 Van Nuys Blvd; # 438
Van Nuys, CA  91401-2611
(323) 896-1126
director@humanecalifornia.org

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