Santa Cruz Becomes Third California City to Oppose One of Factory Farming's Worst Abuses

The Santa Cruz City Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing one of the most notorious factory farming abuses: cramming egg-laying hens into tiny battery cages where they can barely move. 

The resolution was introduced by Santa Cruz Mayor Emily Reilly. It states that the Council "opposes battery cage egg production, based on the inherent cruelty of confining egg-laying hens in battery cages," and further "encourages consumers of eggs not to purchase eggs produced by caged hens."

"The Council's vote further demonstrates that cruel factory farming practices are out of step with the American public. Santa Cruz residents should applaud their elected officials for taking animal welfare seriously," comments Paul Shapiro, senior director of The Humane Society of the United States' factory farming campaign.

California citizens are now volunteering their time to collect signatures to put a measure on the November 2008 ballot that would require that egg-laying hens, calves used for veal, and pigs used for breeding be given enough room to turn around and extend their limbs. 650,000 signatures will be turned in to qualify the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act for the ballot.

Facts

• Santa Cruz is the fourth California city (and ninth in the nation) to pass a resolution on battery cage confinement, joining Berkeley and West Hollywood.
• California factory farms confine approximately 19 million hens in barren battery cages that are so small, the birds can't even spread their wings. Each bird has less space than a single sheet of paper on which to live.
• California companies and universities—including Burger King, Ben & Jerry's, Wolfgang Puck, Google, Bon Appetit Management Company, Stanford, San Francisco State University, and University of California-Berkeley—are moving away from using foods from animals confined in crates and cages. Retailers such as Rainbow Foods and Andronico's have stopped selling eggs from caged hens.
• While cage-free does not mean cruelty-free, cage-free hens generally have 250-300 percent more space per bird and are able to engage in more of their natural behaviors than are caged hens. Cage free hens may not be able to go outside, but they are able to walk, spread their wings, and lay their eggs in nests—all behaviors permanently denied to hens confined in battery cages.

Timeline

• October 2007—Californians begin collecting signatures to put an initiative on the ballot to ensure that calves raised for veal, egg-laying hens, and breeding pigs are able to turn around and extend their limbs.
• March 2007—Burger King announces that it has started phasing in the use of cage-free eggs in its North American locations.
• March 2007—Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck announces that he will no longer use eggs from caged hens.
• September 2006—Ben & Jerry's announces that it will phase out the use of eggs from caged hens in all its ice creams.
• May 2005—Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats Natural Marketplace announce that they have ended sales of eggs from caged hens.
• November 2003—The Better Business Bureau rules that it is misleading to label eggs from battery-caged hens as "Animal Care Certified."
• 2000-2002—McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's require that their meat and egg suppliers abide by very modest animal welfare standards.

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization—backed by 10 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty—on the web at humanesociety.org.