Stockbyte/Thinkstock
DCL
It was certainly a step in the right direction when California's Farm Animal Cruelty Prevention Act, Proposition 2 passed in 2008. It prohibits the containment of farm animals in a way that does not allow them to "lie down, stand up, [or] fully extend their limbs." Prop 2 banned battery cages for egg-laying hens, as well as gestation crates for sows and crates for veal calves, both of which prohibit free movement. Violation of the bill is punishable with a fine of up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment in county jail for up to six months, according to Blue Planet Green Living.
And last month, H.R. 4733, The Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act was introduced to Congress. According to Care2, the bill would require the government to buy food products only from animals that can move freely in their confinement. So it bans gestation crates, battery cages, and veal crates. The bill is similar to Prop 2 but expanded to the federal level. It's impact could be massive.
According to Thomas, Congress finds the following:
"More humane treatment of livestock minimizes needless suffering, results in safer and better working conditions for persons engaged in the animal agricultural industry, brings about improvement of products, and generates other benefits for producers, processors, consumers, public health, and the environment, which expedite an orderly flow of livestock products in interstate and foreign commerce."
According to Care2, the government spends more than one billion dollars a year on food for all its agencies and programs which include the National School Lunch Program, federal prisons, all of the Armed Services, and every government agency office in Washington. So the bill's impact is far reaching. It would motivate large agribusiness to take steps to separate itself from these terribly inhumane confinement methods.
You can show your support for the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act, H.R. 4733, by signing this petition.
Via: Care2
