On November 4th, 2008, California voters passed Proposition 2 by a 63% to 36% margin. The new "Standards for Confining Farm Animals" statute, originally known as the "The California Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act," phases out some of the most restrictive confinement systems used by factory farms — gestation crates for breeding pigs, veal crates for calves, and battery cages for egg laying hens — affecting 20 million farm animals in the state by granting them space to stand up, stretch their limbs, turn around and lie down comfortably. The YES on Prop 2 campaign was run by Californians for Humane Farms, a coalition headed by Farm Sanctuary and the Humane Society of the United States. Farm Sanctuary's Gene Baur released a statement on the Prop 2 victory:

"The passage of Prop 2 in the country's largest agricultural state marks a monumental victory for farm animals. This campaign did an amazing job of raising public awareness about the cruel treatment farm animals endure at the hands of an industry that has consistently fought meaningful change for animals.... Today marks a significant change in the way we view and treat farm animals and falls closer in line with public sentiments and values of compassion. We look forward to seeing these confinement systems phased out nationwide."

Huge Victory for the Animals in California Factory Farms | Monumental Victory for Farm Animals | Landmark Day for Animals From Coast to Coast | Pointing fingers at Prop 2 will not help us repeal Prop 8

Previous Related Indybay Features: Anti-Cruelty Measure Certified for California’s November 2008 Ballot | California Bans Foie Gras (in 2004)