At next week's midterm election, Californians will vote on a proposition that sets new minimum space requirements for veal calves, breeding pigs, and egg-laying hens. Supporters hope Proposition 12 is a step toward better conditions for farm animals, but opponents argue the public is being misled about what cage-free will actually look like.
The Humane Society is sponsoring the initiative. According to Josh Balk, the group's vice president of farm animal protection, the proposition would ensure cage-free conditions.
"Prop 12 prevents the confinement of baby veal calves, mother calves, and egg-laying hens in tiny filthy cages where they can barely move an inch," Balk said.
Opponents argue that 'cage-free,' as it is defined by the proposition, would not lead to more humane conditions. Bradley Miller is the national director of the Humane Farming Association. He represents a group fighting Prop 12 called Californians against Cruelty, Cages and Fraud.
Miller says that, contrary to what many people think, even if Prop 12 passes hens will still be confined to very small spaces. He says that behind this proposition is a trade group representing the egg industry.
"It's as plain as day that the large egg factories are the main beneficiaries of this, that they co-wrote it, and its United Egg Producers guidelines that are going directly into California state law," Miller said.
The United Egg Producers (UEP) is a trade association that certifies 85 percent of eggs produced in the U.S. The guidelines spelled out in Prop 12 cite the United Egg Producers' handbook.
The UEP guidelines, which would become state law if the proposition passes, require one to one and a half square feet of space per hen. That's about the length of a computer keyboard.
The United Egg Producers said in an email they aren't giving any interviews to the media or taking a position on the proposition.
Reporter: Claire Heddles