AGRICULTURE: Who supports, opposes livestock welfare measure

Money, celebrities on side of November initiative
This article has been modified since its original posting

By BRADLEY J. FIKES and CHRIS BAGLEY - Staff Writers | Tuesday, August 12, 2008 9:48 AM PDT ∞

Supporters of Proposition 2, a livestock welfare initiative on the November ballot, are out-fundraising opponents 2-1 and have the edge in celebrity support, according to financial reports and endorsements.

Proposition 2 would require farmers of egg-laying hens, as well as those raising veal calves and pregnant pigs, to give the animals more room to extend their wings or limbs and to lie down. The standards would take effect in six years.

Supporters of Prop. 2 have raised more money, $4.3 million, versus $2.16 million for opponents, according to the California Secretary of State. Opponents of Prop. 2 have stronger backing from agricultural groups and in-state donors.

Egg ranchers say the standards would allow cheaper eggs "imported" from other states to drive them out of the business.

Backers of Prop. 2 say it is a very basic requirement for raising livestock humanely.

FOR:

-- Various animal rights organizations, including its sponsor, the Humane Society of the United States, the American Anti-Vivisection Society, Furry Friends Rescue, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and United Animal Nations.

-- Other supporters include businesses such as All Vegan, Citizen Video, Govinda's Restaurant, Ocean Beach Organic Food Market, and South Bark Dog Wash, all in San Diego.

-- A long list of celebrities and public figures support Prop. 2, including actors Ed Asner and Ed Begley Jr., chimpanzee researcher Jane Goodall, environmental activist Julia Butterfly Hill, singer Moby, New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof and restaurateur Wolfgang Puck.

The lion's share of the funding to support Prop. 2, about $3.5 million of the $4.3 million total, has come from the Humane Society of the United States, a Washington, D.C.-based animal rights group and its employees. (The group is not affiliated with the San Diego Humane Society). The next biggest donor, Farm Sanctuary Inc. of New York, gave $290,000.

AGAINST:

-- The California Teamsters Union came out against Prop. 2 last week. The Teamsters objected to the initiative's lack of protections for humans in the industry.

-- Others opponents include the American Association of Avian Pathologists, the California Grocers Association, the Mexican American Political Association, the Congress of California Seniors and a long list of other agricultural organizations and veterinary officials.

-- Armstrong Farms Inc. of Valley Center, with $50,000.

Most of the money donated to fight Prop. 2 came from California producers of eggs and, to a lesser extent, pork. Out of $2.16 million raised, $1.95 million came from in-state donors, mainly egg ranchers. The largest donor was egg producer Moark LLC of Norco, which gave $289,000, followed by Foster Poultry Farms of Livingston, with $250,000.

In San Diego County, the leading donor against Prop. 2 is Pine Hill Egg Ranch, on Highway 78 between Ramona and Santa Ysabel. Pine Hill's owner, Kevin Demler, is also the county's largest-scale egg rancher.

The contributions are listed as recorded on the California Secretary of State's Web site, at: http://cal-access.ss.ca.gov/Campaign/Measures.

Supporters are as listed on the Web site of Californians for Humane Farms, at www.humanecalifornia.org. Opponents are as listed on the Web site of Californians for Safe Food, at www.safecaliforniafood.org.

Proposition 2's largest donors:

Supporting:

Humane Society of the United States and employees: $3.5 million

Farm Sanctuary Inc., Watkins Glen, N.Y.: $289,807

Total supporting: $4.28 million

California donations $: 8.6 percent

Out-of-state donations $: 91.4 percent

Number of donors: about 950

Opposing:

Demler Egg Ranch, Demler Enterprises, Pine Hill Egg Ranch, Ramona: $381,320*

Moark LLC, Norco: $289,000

Foster Poultry Farms, Livingston: $250,000

Gemperle Enterprises, Turlock: $216,288

Total opposing: $2.16 million

California donations $: 90.3 percent

Out-of-state donations $: 9.7 percent

Number of donors: 45

*These companies share common owners.

Source: California Secretary of State

CORRECTION: Animal groups not related

The Humane Society of the United States is not affiliated with the San Diego Humane Society.

We apologize.