The Florida Supreme Court has approved wording of a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban the use of gestation stalls or tethers.
For the amendment to appear on the November ballot, sponsors must collect half a million valid signatures by June.
“The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) believes this is clearly the start of a nationwide strategy by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to dictate production methods to American agriculture, beginning with pork,” observes NPPC President Barb Determan. “Florida has few hog farms using crates, but it was picked because the state has a citizen-friendly initiative petition process.” The only legal requirements are that the amendment deal with one subject only and the ballot title and summary fairly describe the amendment, she points out.
Amendment sponsors are HSUS, Farm Sanctuary and Floridians for Humane Farms. More information is at www.bancruelfarms.org.