HSUS initiative efforts gain steam in Washington, Oregon

By DAN WHEAT

Capital Press

More than two-thirds of the signatures needed to get a cage-free chicken initiative on Washington's fall ballot have been collected and proponents say the effort will go forward despite the governor signing counterlegislation on May 10.

Meanwhile, a similar ballot measure has been launched in Oregon, where legislation is pending.

The ballot initiatives are efforts by the Humane Society of the United States, Farm Sanctuary and other groups to basically ban the keeping of egg-laying hens in cages. Major egg producers in both states say the initiatives, if passed, would shut them down.

The Northwest Poultry Council has countered the initiative push with legislation requiring larger "colony" cages.

Gov. Chris Gregoire signed Senate Bill 5487 on May 10.

"The new law combines industry guidelines and American Humane Association standards in a way that should put people's minds at ease about the health and welfare of hens," said Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, the bill's prime sponsor.

The bill requires no less than 116.3 square inches per hen, plus access to areas for nesting, scratching and perching.

"The bill puts Washington ahead of other states with a reasonable approach that will help keep eggs at affordable prices. We don't need radical alternatives that would make eggs noticeably more expensive," Schoesler said.

But Paul Shapiro, senior director of Factory Farming Campaign for HSUS, said the bill does not satisfy groups' desires for cage-free systems for humane treatment of hens.

He said about 170,000 signatures of registered voters have been gathered by more 1,000 volunteers on petitions for Initiative 1130 in Washington. A total of 241,153 valid signatures is needed by July 8 to get the initiative on the Nov. 8 ballot.

"We feel good about where we are," Shapiro said when asked if the effort will make it.

The Secretary of State's Office recommends initiative campaigns collect 320,000 signatures to allow for duplicates and other errors.

More than 50 Washington farmers back the initiative, Shapiro said.

The initiative doesn't ban cages but draws requirements such that it basically does that, Shapiro has said.

Paperwork for a similar measure was filed in Oregon on April 25. The target is the November 2012 ballot and just over 80,000 voter signatures are needed, he said.

HSUS and Farm Sanctuary say cages currently being used by large egg producers in both states are inhumane. The Northwest Poultry Council says they are humane.

The council says the initiatives will drive them out of business and force consumers to pay more for eggs imported from other states.