Hens, cows and pigs owe Californians a thank you for approving a law Tuesday guaranteeing minimum living space on farms -- though Alaskans had some bad news for wild salmon and trout.

States across the US consult the public on all manner of issues at election time -- from drug decriminalization to gun control and the death penalty -- and west coast voters had some weighty proposals on the ballot for the midterm congressional elections.

In California, the nation's most populous state, Proposition 12 called for the provision of adequate space for egg-laying hens, as well as calves and pigs destined for slaughter.

There was opposition from agriculture professionals who said the measures would push up prices, and could even lead to shortages or the spread of disease.

But more than 60 percent of voters were in favor and the proposition -- also known as the Farm Animal Confinement Initiative -- is due to take effect from 2020.

"Change is coming," Josh Balk, vice president at the Humane Society of the United States, which sponsored and financed the measure, told The Orange County Register.

"This vote is a massive blow against industrial animal agriculture's abusive confinement systems."

In Alaska, meanwhile, environmental groups were seeking to protect the natural habitat of salmon, rainbow trout and other migratory fish that breed in the northwestern state.

But the initiative failed -- with nearly two-thirds of voters against -- after objections from the oil, mining and forestry industries over the potential impact on the economy and employment.

Related Links
Farming Today - Suppliers and Technology

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

France bans popular pesticide suspected of sickening dozens
Paris (AFP) Nov 5, 2018
French health authorities announced Monday a permanent ban on a widely used pesticide, after alarms were raised when several dozen people fell ill in western France recently. The ANSES health security agency said the decision to outlaw all products containing metam sodium came after a new safety review launched earlier this year - before at least three outbreaks of illness were reported in the Maine-et-Loire department beginning in September. The outbreaks had already prompted the government to ... read more