In November Florida voters passed an amendment to their state constitution banning the use of gestation crates for pigs. Rather than try to comply with the law, the two pig farmers affected by the law have decided to get out of the pig farming business altogether and send their animals off for slaughter.
One of those farmers is Henry Mathis who had about 250 sows covered by the amendment. Rather than comply with the law, which Mathis maintains would be too expensive, he decided to sell his 250 sows to be made into sausage, as well as dumping the other 2,000 hogs on his farm.
Fellow pig farmer Steve Basford, the only other Florida pig farmer covered by the law, has also reportedly begun sending his pigs to slaughter.
And what do animal rights activists who pushed for the law think about its passage leading to farmers sending their pigs for slaughter? Some of them love it.
Mike Winikoff of the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida told The St. Petersburg Times,
We think that’s an excellent thing. And hte factg that some of the pigs might get slaughtered earlier, in the big picture, we see that as a good thing. It’s going to lessen their suffering and hasten the end of their miserable lives.
Slaughter early, slaughter often.
Source:
Amendment is final straw for pig farmer. Wes Allison, St. Petersburg Times (Florida), December 13, 2002.
With narrow stalls banned, pregnant pigs face slaughter. Jennifer Maloney, The Miami Herald, December 12, 2002.