January 23, 2002
		Florida Pig Crate Measure Approved For Ballot A Florida animal advocacy group, Floridians for Humane Farms, has been allowed by the state Supreme Court to have a measure included on the ballot in November making it unconstitutional to cage pregnant pigs in small crates. In the majority opinion, the court agreed that the proposal met the two legal requirements to be put on the ballot: It addresses one subject only and its ballot title and summary fairly describe the amendment. In order to make the ballot, the organization must collect half a million signatures this spring. According to Wayne Pacelle, senior vice president of the Humane Society of the United States, it already has 137,000 verified signatures and nearly another 100,000 collected and awaiting approval. The Humane Society joined Floridians for Humane Farms to sponsor the drive, which is the first of its kind in the country. The amendment would make it unconstitutional to confine a pregnant pig "in a cage, crate or other enclosure, or tether a pregnant pig on a farm so that the pig is prevented from turning around freely." The ballot measure is titled, "Animal Cruelty Measure: Limiting Cruel and Inhumane Confinement of Pigs During Pregnancy." "We're excited that the decision paves the way for the people of Florida to do what the Legislature refused to - protect certain animals from cruel and inhumane treatment," Pacelle said. Rod Hemphill, a spokesman for the Florida Farm Bureau, has said that the practice of crating pregnant pigs is generally accepted and that research backs up its use. He also objects to the measure belonging in Florida's Constitution. "Animal husbandry practices should not be proscribed through amendments to the state constitution," Hemphill said. photo from Vegan Outreach