LTE: Voters should opt to end farm cruelty

In response to the editorial "Let market drive humane farming," as a person of conscience, parish minister, and Massachusetts voter, I am delighted to support a new ballot measure to protect farm animals from extreme abuse.

On Nov. 8, 2016, citizens of the commonwealth will have the opportunity to vote "yes" on a modest proposal that will bring immeasurable relief to cows, pigs and chickens. Millions of these animals are currently locked in cages so small they can barely move. The measure would simply require they be given enough space to stand up, turn around, and extend their limbs.

Sadly, no federal laws prevent industrial farms from treating animals as if they were objects rather than sentient beings who feel pain. This measure is the very least a humane society should do to prevent extreme animal cruelty.

It's past time for us to afford this basic protection to farm animals, and it's high time for Massachusetts to join other states across the country that have rejected this cruelty. Massachusetts voters have a history of putting compassion into action, and I'm confident they will overwhelmingly support this proposal.

Rev. M. Lara Hoke

Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Andover