As second quarter campaign finance reports are released today by the Secretary of State’s office, it is clear that opponents of Prop 2 intend to wage a campaign relying on funding from industrial factory farms with a sordid history of animal cruelty. One of the opposition’s main funders, the United Egg Producers (UEP), recently announced they would need “up to $50 million” to fight Prop 2, due to its overwhelming voter support. The most recent Field Poll shows Prop 2 leading by the highest margin of any initiative on the ballot (63-24).

“Voters know instinctively that it’s the right thing to do to allow farm animals to stand up, turn around and stretch their limbs – and that’s why this initiative has such broad support,” said YES! on Prop 2 campaign manager Jennifer Fearing. “We expect the opposition to continue to raise millions from industrial agribusiness sources that put profits ahead of consumers and that fight to protect the status quo rather than stop cruel and inhumane treatment of animals.”

An excerpt from Egg Industry magazine reporting on the UEP’s plea for $50 million:

“The UEP and the industry have enlisted the services of the UEP public relations firm, [Atlanta-based] Golin Harris, to help address the issue. It is estimated up to $50 million will be needed to successfully fight this issue.” (http://www.wattpoultry.com/EggIndustry/Article.aspx?id=2458)

Among the largest contributors to the opposition to Prop 2 are factory farms with a record of animal abuse and consumer deception, including:

• Moark, LLC - $289,235 contributed to opposition - Paid $100,000 to settle criminal animal cruelty charges in Missouri

• Foster Poultry Farms - $250,000 contributed to opposition - Referred by the Better Business Bureau to the Federal Trade Commission for false advertising related to animal welfare claims

• Gemperle Enterprises - $216,288 contributed to opposition - A recent investigation found evidence of abuse and mistreatment of hens at a Gemperle Enterprises factory farm

• United Egg Producers - $185,000 contributed to opposition - Paid $100,000 to settle false advertising allegations with 17 attorneys general, including California's

• Olivera Egg Ranch, LLC - $12,000 contributed to opposition - Accused of exposing residential neighbors in Lathrop, California to toxic pollution