RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSITION 12 COMPLIANCE

WHEREAS, California’s Proposition 12, the Prevention of Cruelty to Farm Animals Act, passed into law on the 2018 ballot; and

WHEREAS, voters approved Proposition 12 by an overwhelming 25-point margin; and

WHEREAS, over 72% of voters in San Francisco voted in favor of Proposition 12; and

WHEREAS, Proposition 12 ensures that egg-laying hens, mother pigs, and calves used for veal aren’t confined in tiny cages, and that the products sold from these caged animals aren’t sold in the California marketplace; and

WHEREAS, the Proposition 12 mandate came into effect for calves used for veal on December 31, 2019, and the standards for egg-laying hens and mother pigs have a compliance date of December 31, 2021; and

WHEREAS, by passing Proposition 12, California voters sent a strong message that it is cruel and inhumane to lock animals in cramped cages for their whole lives; and

WHEREAS, by approving Proposition 12, Californians and residents of San Francisco made clear that they do not want eggs, pork and veal sold in the city to be sourced from animals confined in cages; and

WHEREAS, Proposition 12 builds on the momentum of McDonald’s, Walmart, Costco, and 200 other major food companies, as well as numerous small businesses, that have pledged to stop sourcing eggs and other animal products from animals forced to live in extreme confinement; and

WHEREAS, multiple food corporations headquartered in California, such as Safeway, Chipotle, Taco Bell, Jack in the Box, IHOP, and Bon Appétit Management Company have adopted cage-free policies; and

WHEREAS, there is a national trend to help curb factory farm abuses and move toward cage-free housing systems for egg-laying hens, mother pigs and calves used for veal; and

WHEREAS, in addition to California, eleven states have passed laws to phase out intensive confinement of farm animals; and

WHEREAS, the conditions required by Proposition 12 confer significant local benefits for food safety, public health and protection of the environment as well as the humane treatment of animals; and

WHEREAS, San Francisco is known for its social responsibility and humane values, including its adoption of prohibitions on the sale of fur products, the sale of dogs and cats other than those who come from shelters and rescues, and the use of wild or exotic animals for entertainment; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that San Francisco calls upon supermarkets, restaurants, and other food companies with locations in San Francisco to implement the requirements of Proposition 12 as soon as possible by only selling eggs, pork and veal from cage-free facilities.

RESOLVED, that San Francisco takes the monitoring and enforcement of animal cruelty laws seriously and is committed to ensuring compliance with this important law.