Prop. 12 offers more humane option

editorial cartoon by Danielle De Luna

California Proposition 12, the Farm Animal Confinement Initiative, will work toward allowing farm animals the proper space to move while being raised for consumption.

The proposition will be on the ballot in this upcoming election, Nov. 6.

In 2008, Proposition 2 was passed and went into effect as of 2015. It banned the confinement of egg-laying hens, pregnant pigs and calves raised for veal from spaces that did not allow them to extend their limbs and move around comfortably.

The difference between Proposition 2 and Proposition 12 is the fact that the new initiative is looking to add a specific number of square feet required for farm animals.

There are different classifications for different animals that go as follows:

• Calves raised for veal cannot be confined in an area with less than 43 square feet of usable floor space per calf.

• Breeding pigs and their immediate offspring cannot be confined to areas less than 24 square feet of usable floor space per pig.

• All egg-laying hens cannot be confined to an area with less than one square foot of usable floor space per hen.

By 2021, the proposition will also require all egg-laying hens to be raised in cage-free housing systems.

Proposition 12 must be passed to ensure proper and humane treatment of animals. There is no need for animals, bred for our consumption, to not be allowed an adequate amount of space to live in for their short period of life.

Many refuse to acknowledge that farm animals deserve the same rights as domesticated pets.

What you would not force onto your own dog, should not be forced onto the animals in farms just because they may be up for consumption.

Farm animals should have the same living standards as domesticated pets.

The simple fact that these animals are being used for our consumption should be enough for them to deserve our respect.

Why not treat the animals with dignity, and to give them the proper thanks for the sacrifice they are being forced to make to keep us fed.

Many of us have been witness to the horrific videos online that show the abuse of farm animals.

Why do these animals not deserve adequate space to live the short lives they may have? Why are we treating animals as though they have no feelings, no qualities other than being food for our consumption?

Proposition 12 needs to be passed for the animals. We all need to vote yes on Proposition 12, to support banning the sale of products from farm animals being confined to spaces below reasonable standard.

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