writing.markfullmer.com

Free range for livestock is not necessary.

There is no scientific evidences prove free range farm animals have less salmonella and avian flu. Also, free range animals are not restrained, so we have no proof that they will not get other infections while they contact with wild animals.

How do we define free range? Completely free or have some restrictions? Farm animals shouldn’t be free access to anywhere. Chickens, cows, and lambs should be at least fence in certain area for several reasons. Think of this, one day you wake up in the morning, you see a cow is in your garden happily eating your roses; chickens are cheerfully running up and down on your car. Ordure is all over your property. Who should be responsible for all the mess? Should it be the animals because they are the producers? Should it be the farmers’ responsible for not keep them in enclosure? Or it is your duty to block them out? Besides, livestock will be more safety when they are limited in the farm and so do people. When the animals are running on the street, there is more risk occurring an accident; also, leaving both animals and human life in danger.

For those reasons, California can regulate farmer s to provide wilder living space for their poultry, but should not pass the law to free range livestock.