The Humane League
A landmark California law protecting animals on factory farms—Proposition 12—held strong against recent challenges from the meat industry. It’ll remain in effect, meaning millions of animals will soon live cage-free.
California’s Proposition 12 was a true milestone for the animal welfare movement when voters passed it in 2018. The law makes it illegal for egg-laying hens, veal calves, and pigs raised for meat to be kept in “cruel confinement.” In short, Prop 12 stops these smart, sensitive animals from being crammed into cages, locked inside crates, or tethered by ropes. And its impact is enormous. Prop 12 is the strongest farm animal protection law in US history. It protects not only animals raised in California but also those whose meat or eggs are sold in the Golden State. In short, this far-reaching law does so much good for millions of individual animals nationwide.
At the end of June 2021, the Supreme Court of the United States roundly rejected a plea from the North American Meat Institute that aimed to strike down Prop 12, also known as the Farm Animal Confinement Initiative. According to these lobbyists, the law harmed the meat industry’s ability to turn a profit. But at the end of the day, justice for sweet farm animals prevailed over the industry’s thirst for profit.
What's the history of Prop 12?
Prop 12 is a major upgrade to an earlier law. Back in 2008, California voters overwhelmingly passed Prop 2, also known as the Prevention of Cruelty to Farm Animals Act. More than 8 million Californians—representing 63% of the vote—called for modest new rules that would give egg-laying hens, mother pigs, and calves raised for veal enough room to stand up, lie down, turn around, and fully extend their limbs. Offering these animals relief from their tiny cages and tight tethers, Prop 2 laid the groundwork for more robust legislation, which would arrive a decade later.
How did Prop 12 get passed?
Fast forward to 2018. Californians successfully voted Prop 12 into law. It was a landslide victory. Endorsed by every major farm animal protection organization, more than 500 veterinarians, United Farm Workers, California Sierra Club, and The Los Angeles Times Editorial Board, Prop 12 was a rallying cry for the animals. In the final count, 63% of voters spoke up to see 40 million animals on factory farms in California freed from cruel cages. And they prevailed.
In Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, compassionate volunteers with The Humane League gathered over 660,000 signatures to get Prop 12 on the ballot. They sent 1.375 million text messages to voters throughout the state. It was the largest “Get out the Vote” texting campaign in ballot measure history. Thanks to the dedication of animal advocates like you, the movement to protect animals raised for food built incredible momentum in the years between Prop 2 and Prop 12. And as a result, some of the worst examples of animal abuse were abolished.
How does Prop 12 protect animals?
Because voters turned out to support Prop 12, these curious animals wouldn’t just be freed from tiny cages—they’d be free to move around. In 2020, egg-laying hens received at least one square foot of floor space, and baby cows raised for veal received at least 43 square feet of floor space. Starting in 2022, hens must receive cage-free housing with enriched environments for nesting and perching, and mother pigs must receive 24 square feet of floor space. The new requirements ensure that these animals will no longer twist their legs in wire mesh or chafe their skin against metal bars. They’ll finally have some room to breathe and spread their wings.
For years, consumers have demanded that food companies ban cruel cages in their supply chains by switching to cage-free eggs. To date, nearly every major food company in the US has pledged to do so over the coming years. Prop 12 helps to ensure that retailers and restaurants alike will be able to transition to cage-free eggs—and crate-free pork—in California and beyond. The Supreme Court’s recent ruling to uphold Prop 12 is a victory for the Californians who voted it into law. And it’s a victory for the animals who’ll be protected from intensive confinement all across the nation.
“The meat industry files frivolous lawsuits like this to avoid making the changes for the animals that consumers and voters overwhelmingly support,” says Hannah Truxell, Associate Counsel at The Humane League. “This marks a huge victory for California voters.”
What you can do
It takes a whole community of committed activists to make the world a better place for animals. Find out how you can take action with us with us to support similar initiatives in your area and push more companies to do better and continue to improve the lives of animals raised for food.
