Proposition 204
Encyclopedia
Proposition 204 of 2006 (or the Humane Treatment of Farm Animals Act) was a law enacted by the voters of Arizona
by means of the initiative
process. It requires that pigs and calves used for veal on factory farms be given enough room to turn around and fully extend their limbs. The Act was approved in a vote held as part of the 2006 Arizona state elections, held on November 7. It passed with over 62% support.
by adding a new provision, Section 13-2910.07 of the Criminal Code. This states that:
organizations, including the Arizona Humane Society, the Humane Society of the United States
, the Farm Sanctuary
, and the Animal Defense League of Arizona. It was opposed by the Campaign for Arizona Farmers and Ranchers with funding from agribusiness proponents such as the American Veal Association, the National Pork Producers Council, the AZ Cattle Feeders Association, AZ Pork Council, American Farm Bureau Federation, AZ Farm Bureau Federation, AZ Cattleman's Association, and the United Dairymen of Arizona.
The chairperson of the Yes on Proposition 204 campaign was Cheryl Naumann , president and CEO of the Arizona Humane Society. Another spokesperson was Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio
, and the campaign was also endorsed by the radio celebrity Paul Harvey
. More than 200,000 Arizonans signed petitions to place the measure on the ballot. More than 100 Arizona veterinarians endorsed Proposition 204. It was also endorsed by the Arizona Republic the Arizona Daily Star
, the East Valley Tribune
the Scottsdale Tribune, the Northwest Explorer , and the Tucson Weekly
.
The opposition to Proposition 204 argued that the primary organizers of the initiative were anti-meat groups, and that a similar measure passed in 2002 in Florida had led to the bankruptcy of a farm in that state. However, the Florida Farm Bureau explicitly denied the claim that any farms went out of business as a result of the 2002 ballot measure in that state. In an article published the week after the 2002 election, a spokesman for the Bureau stated that "It's because of low prices, not the amendment". However, in an article the following month in the St. Petersburg Times
, one of the two Florida hog farmers covered under Proposition 204 stated that he had slaughtered all of his sows because of the expense of complying with it.
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
by means of the initiative
Initiative
In political science, an initiative is a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote...
process. It requires that pigs and calves used for veal on factory farms be given enough room to turn around and fully extend their limbs. The Act was approved in a vote held as part of the 2006 Arizona state elections, held on November 7. It passed with over 62% support.
Provisions
The Act amended the Arizona Revised StatutesArizona Revised Statutes
The Arizona Revised Statutes is the name given to the statutory laws in the state of Arizona. The ARS went into effect on January 9, 1956. It was most recently updated in second regular session of the 49th legislature. There are currently 49 titles, although three have been repealed.-External...
by adding a new provision, Section 13-2910.07 of the Criminal Code. This states that:
- A. Notwithstanding any other provision of title 3 [which covers agriculture] or title 13 [the Criminal Code], a person shall not tether or confine any pig during pregnancy or any calf raised for veal, on a farm, for all or the majority of any day, in a manner that prevents such animal from:
-
- 1. Lying down and fully extending his or her limbs; or
- 2.Turning around freely.
- B. This section shall not apply to:
-
- 1. Pigs or calves during transportation.
- 2. Pigs or calves in rodeo exhibitions, state or county fair exhibitions, or other similar exhibitions.
- 3. The killing of pigs or calves according to the provisions of chapter 13, title 3 and other applicable law and regulations.
- 4. Pigs or calves involved in lawful scientific or agricultural research.
- 5. Pigs or calves while undergoing an examination, test, treatment or operation for veterinary purposes.
- 6. A pig during the seven day period prior to the pig's expected date of giving birth.
- C. A person who violates this section is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor.
- D. [Some definitions of terms follow]
Campaign
Proposition 204 was sponsored by Arizonans for Humane Farms, a coalition of animal welfareAnimal welfare
Animal welfare is the physical and psychological well-being of animals.The term animal welfare can also mean human concern for animal welfare or a position in a debate on animal ethics and animal rights...
organizations, including the Arizona Humane Society, the Humane Society of the United States
Humane Society of the United States
The Humane Society of the United States , based in Washington, D.C., is the largest animal advocacy organization in the world. In 2009, HSUS reported assets of over US$160 million....
, the Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is an American animal protection organization, founded in 1986 as an advocate for farm animals. It promotes laws and policies that support animal welfare, animal protection and vegetarianism/veganism through rescue, education and advocacy...
, and the Animal Defense League of Arizona. It was opposed by the Campaign for Arizona Farmers and Ranchers with funding from agribusiness proponents such as the American Veal Association, the National Pork Producers Council, the AZ Cattle Feeders Association, AZ Pork Council, American Farm Bureau Federation, AZ Farm Bureau Federation, AZ Cattleman's Association, and the United Dairymen of Arizona.
The chairperson of the Yes on Proposition 204 campaign was Cheryl Naumann , president and CEO of the Arizona Humane Society. Another spokesperson was Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio
Joe Arpaio
Joseph M. "Joe" Arpaio is the elected Sheriff of Maricopa County in the U.S. state of Arizona. First voted into office in 1992, Arpaio is responsible for law enforcement in Maricopa County. This includes management of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, county jail, courtroom security,...
, and the campaign was also endorsed by the radio celebrity Paul Harvey
Paul Harvey
Paul Harvey Aurandt , better known as Paul Harvey, was an American radio broadcaster for the ABC Radio Networks. He broadcast News and Comment on weekday mornings and mid-days, and at noon on Saturdays, as well as his famous The Rest of the Story segments. His listening audience was estimated, at...
. More than 200,000 Arizonans signed petitions to place the measure on the ballot. More than 100 Arizona veterinarians endorsed Proposition 204. It was also endorsed by the Arizona Republic the Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Daily Star
The Arizona Daily Star is the major morning daily newspaper that serves Tucson and surrounding districts of southern Arizona in the United States. The paper was purchased by Pulitzer in 1971; Lee Enterprises bought Pulitzer in 2005....
, the East Valley Tribune
East Valley Tribune
The East Valley Tribune is a publication concentrating on cities within the East Valley region of metropolitan Phoenix, including Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert and Queen Creek....
the Scottsdale Tribune, the Northwest Explorer , and the Tucson Weekly
Tucson Weekly
The Tucson Weekly is an alternative newsweekly that was founded in 1984 by Douglas Biggers and Mark Goehring, and serves the Tucson, Arizona metropolitan area of about 900,000 residents. The paper is a member of the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies...
.
The opposition to Proposition 204 argued that the primary organizers of the initiative were anti-meat groups, and that a similar measure passed in 2002 in Florida had led to the bankruptcy of a farm in that state. However, the Florida Farm Bureau explicitly denied the claim that any farms went out of business as a result of the 2002 ballot measure in that state. In an article published the week after the 2002 election, a spokesman for the Bureau stated that "It's because of low prices, not the amendment". However, in an article the following month in the St. Petersburg Times
St. Petersburg Times
The St. Petersburg Times is a United States newspaper. It is one of two major publications serving the Tampa Bay Area, the other being The Tampa Tribune, which the Times tops in both circulation and readership. Based in St...
, one of the two Florida hog farmers covered under Proposition 204 stated that he had slaughtered all of his sows because of the expense of complying with it.
External links
- Full text of Proposition 204
- Full text of Title 13, Section 13-2910.07 of the ARS
- Voters Pass Proposition 204 on Nov. 7, 2006
- Official Campaign Web Site
- Official Opposition Web Site
- The Arizona Humane Society
- The Humane Society of the United States
- Farm Sanctuary
- Animal Defense League of Arizona
- Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio