Jonah Patel
The Florida Constitution includes a detailed section on the rights of pregnant pigs. In 2002, over 2.5 million Floridians voted to prohibit the cruel confinement of pregnant pigs in factory farms. This has been referred to as the 'Pig Amendment'. The amendment has been criticised by some, including then-Gov. Jeb Bush, who said in his 2003 State of the State address: The bottom line is that pregnant pigs don't belong in our state constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pregnant pigs are mentioned in the Florida Constitution | Yes |
| Pregnant pigs are protected by the Florida Constitution | Yes |
| Pregnant pigs are singled out for preferential treatment in the Florida Constitution | Yes |
| The rights of other animals are mentioned in the Florida Constitution | No |
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What You'll Learn
Pregnant pigs are protected by the Florida Constitution
> "Inhumane treatment of animals is a concern of Florida citizens. The people of the State of Florida hereby limit the cruel and inhumane confinement of pigs during pregnancy as provided herein. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to confine a pig during pregnancy in an enclosure, or to tether a pig during pregnancy, on a farm in such a way that she is prevented from turning around freely."
The Florida Constitution is silent on the rights of other barnyard animals, such as cows, horses and chickens, but it addresses the rights of pregnant pigs in considerable detail. While some people argue that pregnant pigs do not belong in the constitution, others say that the Legislature has thwarted the will of the people by refusing to pass laws that they obviously want.
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The rights of pregnant pigs are addressed in detail
> It shall be unlawful for any person to confine a pig during pregnancy in an enclosure, or to tether a pig during pregnancy, on a farm in such a way that she is prevented from turning around freely.
The inclusion of this amendment in the constitution has been controversial. While some argue that it is an important protection for pregnant pigs, others, including then-Gov. Jeb Bush, have said that it does not belong in the state constitution. The Florida Chamber of Commerce has led the lobbying effort in the Legislature, arguing that special interests have hijacked the initiative process. On the other hand, petition drive sponsors argue that they have had no other choice because the Legislature has refused to pass laws that the people want.
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The confinement of pregnant pigs is limited
In 2002, over 2.5 million Floridians voted to prohibit the cruel confinement of pregnant pigs in factory farms. The Florida Constitution now addresses the rights of pregnant pigs in considerable detail, stating that:
> It shall be unlawful for any person to confine a pig during pregnancy in an enclosure, or to tether a pig during pregnancy, on a farm in such a way that she is prevented from turning around freely.
The Constitution also mandates the creation of a commission every 20 years to seek input from citizens, review the constitution and propose changes. However, the inclusion of pregnant pigs in the Constitution has been controversial. Opponents argue that the document establishing the fundamental principles of Florida's government and the rights of its citizens has been cluttered with unrelated provisions. On the other hand, petition drive sponsors argue that they have had no other recourse because the Legislature has refused to pass laws that the people want.
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Pregnant pigs are singled out for preferential treatment
> 'Inhumane treatment of animals is a concern of Florida citizens. The people of the State of Florida hereby limit the cruel and inhumane confinement of pigs during pregnancy as provided herein. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to confine a pig during pregnancy in an enclosure, or to tether a pig during pregnancy, on a farm in such a way that she is prevented from turning around freely.'
However, some people, including then-Gov. Jeb Bush, have argued that pregnant pigs do not belong in the state constitution. The Florida Chamber of Commerce has also led the lobbying effort in the Legislature, arguing that special interests have hijacked the initiative process.
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The Legislature has put up barriers to amending the constitution
The Florida Constitution addresses the rights of pregnant pigs in considerable detail. In November 2002, over 2.5 million Floridians voted to prohibit the cruel confinement of pregnant pigs in factory farms. The Constitution of the State of Florida, Article X, Section 21, states:
> "Inhumane treatment of animals is a concern of Florida citizens. The people of the State of Florida hereby limit the cruel and inhumane confinement of pigs during pregnancy as provided herein. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to confine a pig during pregnancy in an enclosure, or to tether a pig during pregnancy, on a farm in such a way that she is prevented from turning around freely."
However, the Legislature has put up several barriers to amending the constitution through petition drives. The new laws require state economists to write ballot statements about the expected cost of initiatives to taxpayers, move up the deadline for getting signatures verified by about six months to Feb. 1 of an election year, allow voters to revoke their signatures, and allow businesses to prohibit some petition drives on their property.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Florida Constitution addresses the rights of pregnant pigs in considerable detail.
The Constitution of the State of Florida states that it is unlawful to confine a pig during pregnancy in an enclosure or to tether a pig during pregnancy in such a way that she is prevented from turning around freely.
In November 2002, over 2.5 million Floridians voted to prohibit the cruel confinement of pregnant pigs in factory farms.
Yes, the Florida Constitution is reviewed every 20 years and citizens are invited to propose changes. However, since the pig amendment, the Legislature has put up several barriers to amending the constitution through petition drives.
