Proposition 12 was a California ballot proposition in that state's general election on November 6, 2018. The measure was self-titled the Prevention of Cruelty to Farm Animals Act. The measure passed, by a vote of about 63% Yes to 37% No. The proposition establishes new minimum requirements on farmers to provide more space for egg-laying hens, breeding pigs, and calves raised for veal. California businesses will be banned from selling eggs or uncooked pork or veal that came from animals housed in ways that did not meet these requirements.
Ballot Label summary
The California Secretary of State's summary from the Official Voter Information Guide of Proposition 12 is as follows: "ESTABLISHES NEW STANDARDS FOR CONFINEMENT OF SPECIFIED FARM ANIMALS; BANS SALE OF NONCOMPLYING PRODUCTS. INITIATIVE STATUTE. Establishes minimum requirements for confining certain farm animals. Prohibits sales of meat and egg products from animals confined in noncomplying manner. Fiscal Impact: Potential decrease in state income tax revenues from farm businesses, likely not more than several million dollars annually. State costs up to $10 million annually to enforce the measure."
Supporters
ASPCA Mercy for Animals The Humane League Compassion in World Farming Animal Legal Defense Fund Animal Equality Animal Protection and Rescue League Compassion Over Killing In Defense of Animals San Francisco SPCA San Diego Humane Society Marin Humane Society Center for Food Safety Organic Consumers Association Center for Biological Diversity Sierra Club California United Farm Workers Farm Sanctuary World Animal Protection Animal Welfare Institute California Animal Welfare Association Newspapers supporting Prop 12: Los Angeles Times The Mercury News The Monterey Herald San Francisco Bay Guardian East Bay Express East Bay Times Marin Independent Journal San Diego Free Press Santa Cruz Sentinel
Opponents
National Association of Egg Farmers American Veal Association California Pork Producers Association People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals National Pork Producers Council California Farm Bureau Federation Protect the Harvest Humane Farming Association Friends of Animals Showing Animals Respect and Kindness Action for Animals Newspapers opposing Prop 12: The Bakersfield Californian Los Angeles Daily News/The San Bernardino Sun San Francisco Chronicle The Fresno Bee/The Sacramento Bee Orange County Register The Press Democrat The San Diego Union-Tribune The Tribune
Assertions by Proponents
The Humane Society of the United States and other animal protection groups argued that confining animals in small cages is cruel, and that Prop 12 was needed to improve animal welfare, including by mandating cage-free conditions for egg-laying hens. Prop 12 applies equally to both animals raised in California and those raised elsewhere for the California marketplace. Prop 12 was endorsed by the Center for Food Safety because research indicates that caging farm animals increases the spread of food-borne pathogens like Salmonella.
Assertions by Opponents
The American Veal Association argued that Prop 12 would create “unnecessary regulations” and that the veal industry is already well on its way to phasing out crates. Ken Klippen of the National Association of Egg Farmers told Fox News that the measure would take away consumer choice and that the motivation behind the measure was to push consumers towards a vegan diet.
Election results
The results of the vote were 62.65% YES to 37.35% NO.
