Current Press Releases

ILLEGAL SPENDING PLAN AGAINST PROP 2 NIXEDAGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT AGREES NOT TO FUNNELDOLLARS TO POLITICAL CAMPAIGN

SAN FRANCISCO — A California ballot initiative that will provide more humane treatment of California farm animals got a big boost today when the YES! on Prop 2 campaign announced that it has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that includes the federal agency’s promise not to authorize funds to oppose Prop 2.

The federal government’s decision to abandon its plan to subvert Prop 2 through this illegal spending plan comes two weeks after a federal court in San Francisco issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting this expenditure. The ruling was only temporary, and could have been overturned by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.  Rather than continuing its attempt to funnel federal check-off funds into the fight against Prop 2, the federal government decided to waive any appeal of the injunction, and abandon all plans to influence the November election.

“We commend USDA for dropping its plans to meddle in a state election and to get in the way of this common-sense measure that would simply afford farm animals enough space to turn around and stretch their limbs,” said Jennifer Fearing, campaign manager for the YES! on Prop 2 campaign. “USDA’s decision to get out of the business of subverting Prop 2 means that California voters will be able to make an informed decision on the measure without unlawful government interference.”

Prop 2 will prohibit the most abusive factory farming practices in California and ensure modest animal welfare standards for farm animals by allowing them simply to turn around and stretch their limbs and is supported by The Humane Society of the United States, the California Veterinary Medical Association, the Center for Food Safety, the ASPCA, the Consumer Federation of America, the Center for Science in the Public Interest, the United Farm Workers, Farm Sanctuary, the Sierra Club, Cesar Chavez Foundation, California Council of Churches IMPACT, Republican and Democratic elected officials, hundreds of California veterinarians, family farmers, religious leaders, and many others.