San Diego Union Tribune Endorses Prop 2

This is quite the coup. The San Diego Union Tribune, usually one of the state's more reliably conservative voices, today came out in favor of Prop 2, which would phase out the inhumane caging of veal calves, gestating pigs, and egg-laying hens. The thoughtful editorial runs through a brief history of similar laws throughout the country, examining the fiscal impact there and the likely fiscal impact here. Observe as No on Prop 2 talking points are eviscerated:

"Food prices would soar? We don't think so. A study by the University of California Riverside, comparing the price of eggs from cage-free and caged hens, suggested the producer price would increase less than 1 cent per egg.

Egg farmers put out of business? We don't think so. The restrictions have not prompted mass economic distress closings by veal or pig farmers in Florida or Arizona. In fact, in Arizona, the only hog farmer affected by that state's initiative actually sought to expand operations. In California, many egg farmers already operate caged and cage-free operations on the same farm. The proposition gives them six years to make the necessary changes, hardly an economic killer.

In the end, Proposition 2 is about the basic humane treatment of animals, even those raised for food."

It's heartening to see opposition to needless animal cruelty runs the partisan gamut, and if the No on Prop 2 campaign can't win over the Tribune by pretending Prop 2 will lead to economic ruin for farmers, then this proposition is in pretty good shape.

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