I would like to clarify that ballot Question 3, which gives animals raised for food the space to move around, does not apply to one business but to all food producers that sell to Massachusetts consumers.
These producers include multinational corporations with factory farms in Arkansas and China who engage in extreme confinement of animals.
This confinement produces not only animal misery but “products” from these animals that are harmful to human health. One example is the overuse of antibiotics to keep sick animals alive long enough before slaughter. This overuse extends animal suffering and results in the growing ineffectiveness of antibiotics when treating human illness.
The pictures on the front page of the October 15 issue of The Recorder illustrate that an environment in which animals can move in a natural setting is so much more humane than one in which they are confined for life. No cage, no matter how clean, is an acceptable place for a sentient being.
The expression, “to take someone under your wing,” comes from observing the maternal instinct of birds, such as chickens, who protect their young by spreading their wings over them.
The time has now come when Massachusetts voters can take chickens and other farm animals under our wings. We can join with veterinarians, many Massachusetts farmers, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Massachusetts Sierra Club by voting “Yes” on ballot Question 3.
The animals and your own body will thank you.
Marian Kelner
Greenfield