USA
California's Proposition 12 (Prevention of Cruelty to Farm Animals Act)
Summary Description
Prohibits the use of cages in egg, pork, and veal production, and bans the sale of eggs, uncooked pork or veal from animals that have not been raised following equivalent standards set in the Legislation.
Species
Calves
Pigs
Jurisdiction
USA
Sub-Jurisdiction
N/A
Type of Act
Legislation
Status
In force
Legal Value
Binding
Date Enacted
2018
Date Updated
June, 2023
Official Citation
California Draft Bill, Prevention of Cruelty to Farm Animals Act, 2018 (U.S.A)
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- Provides penalty: violations are considered as misdemeanours, with fines up to $1,000 (also weakness), and / or imprisonment in the county jail up to 180 days.
- Prohibits the use of cages for egg-laying hens (defined as any female domesticated chicken, turkey, duck, goose or guineafowl kept for the purpose of egg production, but this definition does not include quail hens), breeding pigs, and veal calves, and any confinement method that prevents an animal from lying down, standing up, fully extending the animal's limbs, or turning around freely.
- Sets maximum density levels and minimum space allowance per individual animal.
- Applies extra-territorially by banning the sale of all eggs, uncooked pork or veal from animals that have not been raised following equivalent standards set in the Legislation.
Weaknesses
- Only applies to egg-laying hens, pigs, and calves, and only applies on farms (i.e. not during transport and slaughter).
- Still allows high density levels.
Related Laws/Policies
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