For decades, agribusiness has exploited tax payer subsidies and preferential government support, and banked massive profits at the public’s expense.  Its callous abuse of animals and careless destruction of the environment go hand in hand with mistreating workers and deceiving consumers.

As part of the campaign to oppose Proposition 2 (a citizens’ initiative that seeks to ban cruel factory farm confinement systems in California agribusiness and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) appropriated $3 million to run advertisements. Supporters of Proposition 2 went to court and challenged this wrongful use of government administered funds to influence an election, and this week a U.S. judge banned the illegal expenditure. This is very good news, but despite it, the opposition has still amassed a war chest of approximately $8 million to wage their shameful campaign.

Meanwhile, an article appearing on the front page of the Wall Street Journal reveals that the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating members of the egg industry for illegal price fixing. It has subpoenaed records from some of the leading opponents of Proposition 2, including the United Egg Producers (UEP), Golden Oval Eggs LLC, Michael Foods Inc. and MoArk LLC, as part of the criminal probe.

Agribusiness needs to be held accountable and forced to conduct itself in a way that is lawful and consistent with societal values.  We have seen that they will do practically anything to maintain the intolerable status quo.

Now more than ever, with just over one month before the election, citizens opposed to cruelty and injustice NEED to do everything possible to support Proposition 2.