United
Egg Producers will not fight a Massachusetts ballot initiative that would bar the in-state sale of meat or eggs from animals raised
in extreme confinement anywhere in the United States. In an interview with Politico, UEP’s president,
Chad Gregory, conceded that the egg industry did not “have any options”
but to go cage-free.
Egg Producers will not fight a Massachusetts ballot initiative that would bar the in-state sale of meat or eggs from animals raised
in extreme confinement anywhere in the United States. In an interview with Politico, UEP’s president,
Chad Gregory, conceded that the egg industry did not “have any options”
but to go cage-free.
United
Egg Producers tried to fight a similar initiative in the past and was unsuccessful.
In 2008, UEP raised $10 million in an attempt to defeat Prop 2, a cage-free
ballot initiative in California. Despite UEP’s well-funded and organized
campaign, Prop 2 passed with the approval of a landslide 64 percent of California
voters. The group’s attempt to fight the law in the courts failed as well.
Egg Producers tried to fight a similar initiative in the past and was unsuccessful.
In 2008, UEP raised $10 million in an attempt to defeat Prop 2, a cage-free
ballot initiative in California. Despite UEP’s well-funded and organized
campaign, Prop 2 passed with the approval of a landslide 64 percent of California
voters. The group’s attempt to fight the law in the courts failed as well.
While the egg industry may see
the writing on the wall, the pork industry continues to oppose reform. National Pork Producers
Council spokesman Dave Warner pledged that the group will fight the Massachusetts
initiative. Although more than 85 percent of U.S. pigs are currently kept in
gestation crates, NPPC president-elect, John Weber, admitted that the status
quo will change. “In another 10 years that percentage is probably going to
change significantly,” Weber said. “I would predict longer term …
we’ll be housing sows differently.
the writing on the wall, the pork industry continues to oppose reform. National Pork Producers
Council spokesman Dave Warner pledged that the group will fight the Massachusetts
initiative. Although more than 85 percent of U.S. pigs are currently kept in
gestation crates, NPPC president-elect, John Weber, admitted that the status
quo will change. “In another 10 years that percentage is probably going to
change significantly,” Weber said. “I would predict longer term …
we’ll be housing sows differently.
While
the Massachusetts initiative is a positive step in the right direction, it
would only ban the most extreme confinement of animals. Cage-free does not mean
cruelty-free. Ultimately, the best way to prevent animal suffering is to leave meat,
dairy, and eggs off your plate.
the Massachusetts initiative is a positive step in the right direction, it
would only ban the most extreme confinement of animals. Cage-free does not mean
cruelty-free. Ultimately, the best way to prevent animal suffering is to leave meat,
dairy, and eggs off your plate.
Visit ChooseVeg.com today for free recipes and tips.
