An initiative to protect farmed animals in Colima, Mexico has unanimously passed in the state’s Congress. The legislation was presented by Deputy Alfredo Álvarez Ramírez and 11 members of the parliamentary group, who sought to reform the Animal Protection Law of Colima to include farmed animals. With the passing of the initiative, Colima becomes the second state in Mexico to include an entire chapter on the protection of cows, pigs, and chickens, impacting nearly 9 million animals.
Deputy Ramírez credited Animal Equality’s work in the passing of the initiative:
[This initiative is] thanks to the work of Animal Equality and to the political will of the people’s representatives in this Congress. Today we have the unique opportunity to do justice to animals that have been ignored and condemned to cruel treatment. Today, Colima becomes the second state to protect all species from cruelty, including the almost 9 million animals on farms.
—Deputy Alfredo Álvarez Ramírez
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What is the initiative?
Mexico is part of the World Organization for Animal Health, which recognizes the importance of human, environmental, and animal health. The organization established basic animal welfare standards that Animal Equality is working to integrate into local laws. These standards include:
- Access to sufficient food and water.
- Housing that does not cause injuries and provides enrichment or stimulation.
- Periods of light and darkness, allowing the animals to express natural behaviors, reduce stress levels, and increase physical activity.
- Consideration of animal health and well-being in the genetic selection of animals to avoid traits that may cause significant harm. For example, breeding chickens used for meat to grow so large, so quickly that they can’t even walk to their food or water.
- Veterinary supervision during painful procedures such as castration and tail docking.
In addition to these standards, Animal Equality sought provisions to facilitate a transition away from cages for hens and end ‘forced molting’—the practice of intentionally starving hens used in the egg industry to increase production.
The approval of this reform is a progressive and fundamental step in the protection and well-being of animals in Colima. At Animal Equality, we will continue to work tirelessly so that all animals raised for human consumption are included in animal protection legislation at the national level. We cannot continue excluding them from the legal framework and remain permissive in the face of cruel practices that cause them so much suffering. This reform is a crucial step forward, but it is only the beginning of a broader and more necessary change.
—Dulce Ramírez, Director of Animal Equality in Mexico
This historic progress comes after years of investigative work by Animal Equality’s team in Mexico exposing the conditions of animals on factory farms.
Help us protect farmed animals!
As individuals, we have the responsibility to make animals’ lives better. Just like the dogs and cats we live with, animals on farms can experience suffering, anguish, and fear. Don’t contribute to their suffering. By leaving meat, dairy and eggs out of your meals and opting for plant-based proteins, you can oppose animal cruelty every day.
FOSTER COMPASSION
As a mother capable of empathy, a hen will defend her chicks at all costs.
Support a mother’s love by replacing eggs in your meals with plant‑based alternatives.