Five Burning Questions

Question Three would require the state to set new regulations against inhumane treatment of farm animals. They would cover methods of transportation and slaughter as well as feeding and housing standards, and would impose a penalty for violation of $1000.

It would also set up an advisory board to recommend new rules to the state Commissioner of Agriculture and would enable the board to create a fund to help farmers obey the new rules, as long as the legislature appropriated the money.

The question, which is binding, reached the ballot by initiative petition after nearly unanimous defeat by both houses of the legislature in May of 1988.

Those who favor the regulations cite the poor treatment of veal calves, chickens, and the use of drugs that could endanger consumer health on some confined animals.

Opponents say that the regulations would hurt Massachusetts farms, which are too poor to pay the cost of obeying them. They say the state's existing animal welfare regulatory system is effective, and does not need additional laws.