Legislation, Over Easy

Oregon legislators are moving out of the courthouse and into the henhouse. Over the last few months, there has been some trouble brewing at the Capitol. There has been much discussion regarding the state’s regulations on what is considered humane when it comes to egg-laying chickens.

Many of, those supporting the Humane Society of the United States feel the newly revised regulations don’t go far enough, while others are questioning why the state is even discussing the issue. But what’s really cooking at the capitol?

Last December, the Oregon Humane Society approached Oregon State Senate President Peter Courtney, who spearheaded what is now Senate Bill 805. Yet, as the bill evolved, animal rights activists say the future of the bill is now in the hands of the chicken farmers themselves—and the farmers aren’t looking out for the chickens.

What SB805 is proposing is a shift in standards over the next 15 years. Oregon’s chicken farmers would be required to invest millions in the new adjustments, but experts say that the changes would allow for the chickens to live significantly healthier and happier lives.

Currently, chickens are allotted 67 square inches of habitat in their cages. This means that quarters are cramped, and often the chicken’s health suffers due to its living conditions.

Egg-laying chickens do not receive the best treatment. Due to their inability to lay eggs, male chickens are killed and chicks are tossed into large garbage cans, suffocating and crushing them. The male chicks are also disposed of in other, horrific ways, such as decapitation via machinery or by grinding the chicks up alive.

Treatment is equally bad for female egg-laying chickens. Female chickens are forced to lay eggs until many die when they no longer have the strength to pass an egg.

For the most part, these chickens are treated horribly, much like many commercial farm animals.

SB805 hoped to change the current treatment of egg-laying chickens. The plan proposes that over the next 15 years, the allotted space for chickens be expanded to 216 square inches.

The newly reformed version of the bill would require the cages be expanded to 116.3 square inches, almost double the current allotment. The changes would also take full effect in 2026, which would allow Oregon farmers time to reform their methods and coops.

Animal advocates say these changes aren’t enough.

The online forums are abuzz with comments questioning the validity of the bill. Many users feel that the subject is asinine, as they feel current human issues such as budget and economy override the needs of animals. One user commented on an article about the issue by The Oregonian, “You can’t expect the legislature to do something constructive, like save the state from going in the tank, can you?”

Such legislation is in the process of being passed while many humans in the farming industry still face exploitation. A mere three years ago, in Immokalee, Fla., six people were indicted on charges of “enslaving farm workers.” According to court documents, the workers were beaten and forced to sleep in trucks, all while facing threats of losing their jobs— as tomato pickers.

Many women who work on farms still face threats of sexual exploitation and assault. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, “…farm workers are among the most vulnerable to sexual violence while also the least likely to report it.”

LBTQ farm workers also face harassment in the workplace, and many are at risk for sexual assault.

While the treatment of animals in farms is an important issue, there is still more that can be done to improve the working conditions of humans in farming conditions.

In Oregon, many farm workers face problems when it comes to housing. Many only earn, on average, $7,500 a year per person, and are forced to compete with others for low-income housing opportunities.

Earlier this year, a house bill was drafted in order to redefine the term “farm worker” in order to allow for more housing tax credits to be issued. The bill is a small step in Oregon’s movement toward farm worker equality. HB 2154 was signed into law in June of this year.

While animals’ rights are important, there still needs to be more legislation that takes into account the rights of humans in the farming environment as well. By furthering the rights of both people and animals, Oregon can give a voice to those who are often left mute—those who sacrifice the most in order to feed the masses. ?