January 14, 2010

California poultry farmers outraged by new housing rules

New animal housing regulations may prove costly, prompting some Californian poultry farmers to leave the state.

Several states are reaching out to California poultry farmers who are dissatisfied with a  new law regulating livestock housing.

According to November 2008 California referendum, it prohibits livestock housing that allows animals to turn around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs which goes into effect in 2015.

Many California poultry growers are concerned about the costs of revamping their facilities in compliance with the new legislation. "I've got guys saying they're unwilling to make an investment or try to raise capital, because they don't know how to comply," Fiona Hutton, a spokeswoman for the Association of California Egg Farmers said.

The various representatives from Nevada, Idaho and Georgia economic development organisations have met with California egg industry members, courting them with promises of lower costs and friendlier regulations. Idaho, for example, is considering an animal protection law that would include separate standards for pets and livestock and would put livestock welfare under the authority of the state's agricultural department.

Currently, both the agricultural department and law enforcement agencies share responsibility for enforcing livestock welfare rules in Idaho.