- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
The Visalia Times-Delta ran a commentary on Saturday jointly written by the dean of the UC Davis Department of Veterinary Science Bennie Osborne and the director of the UC Veterinary Teaching and Research Center in Tulare James Cullor turning today's decision on Proposition 2 over to the voters.
The article noted that various UC Davis scientists have taken public positions on the proposition, both in favor and against, but that the University of California is neutral.
The School of Veterinary Medicine, the article said, is part of the nation's proud tradition of Land Grant Colleges and Universities.
"We are committed to...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
With the "historic" 2008 election coming to a close tomorrow, media are winding up their own information and endorsement campaigns. An informal review of media endorsements on Proposition 2, the Humane Society's initiative to prohibit what it considers cruel animal confinement procedures for egg-laying hens, sows and calves, looks like good news for opponents of the measure.
Here's my tally . . .
Opposed:
- ...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
Proposition 2 continues to make news. Coverage of the initiative, which will set new standards for confining farm animals in California, in many cases mentions the UC Agricultural Issues Center research project that drew conclusions about the probable economic effects of the proposition's passage.
Here's a sampling of stories and editorials from the last week:
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Animal rights activists want more space for hens - San Jose Mercury News
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
An article in the San Diego Union Tribune over the weekend presented both sides of the debate over Proposition 2, the initiative on the November ballot that, if passed, will set new standards for farm animal confinement.
The story implied that UC Riverside poultry specialist emeritus Don Bell is an "opponent of the measure" when it followed a statement about concerns that Prop 2 will increase food prices with his quote.
According to the story, Bell said:
“Pennies, nickels, dimes and dollars add up as today's prices for everything (increase) –...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
Bob Perkins, executive director of the Monterey County Farm Bureau, wrote an amusing opinion piece about Proposition 2 for today's Salinas Californian in which he speculated about the ability of Californians to decide what makes chickens happy.
Proposition 2 is an initiative on the November ballot aimed at improving farm animal welfare. For his column on the subject, Perkins spoke to UC Cooperative Extension poultry specialist emeritus Don Bell, who devoted a career to the study of poultry production.
In the world of farm animals, the story says, happiness is measured by animal...