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04/08/08: Historic Veal Crate and Gestation Crate Ban Passes Colorado Legislature; Awaits Governor Ritter's Signature

In Colorado, Senator Jim Isgar (D, 6) introduced Senate Bill 201 (pdf) to ban the use of cruel veal crates and gestation crates. Senator Isgar's bill states that "calves raised for veal and gestating sows should be kept in a way that allows such animals to freely stand up, lie down, and turn around without touching the sides of their enclosure." A modest measure, and one that will make Colorado the second state in the country to ban veal crates and the fourth to ban gestation crates.

Veal crates and their lesser-known counterparts, gestation crates, are some of the cruelest confinement systems used in factory farming. Both confine animals in tiny spaces barely larger than their own bodies, leaving them essentially unable to move more than a step forward and back or even turn around.

Tens of thousands of breeding pigs in Colorado are confined inside gestation crates on factory hog farms for the vast majority of their lives. These 2-foot-wide crates virtually immobilize them and lead to a laundry list of physical and psychological disorders. Pigs are confined inside these crates for the duration of their repeated pregnancies, adding up to 10 months a year. Pigs can take only three to five years of these stresses before their bodies deteriorate and they are sent to slaughter. Calves destined for the veal industry are often confined to tiny crates similar to pigs. Although there is currently no known veal production in Colorado, this measure will go far to prevent such cruel confinement in the future.

On April 7, 2008, the Colorado House of Representatives joined the Senate in passing S.B. 201. The bill now goes to Governor Ritter's desk, where it just needs his signature to become law. With Governor Ritter's signature, Colorado will join Arizona, California, Oregon and Florida-as well as much of Europe-in banning the use of cruel gestation crates on factory farms.

What you can do:
Contact Governor Ritter today and urge him to sign S.B. 201 into law as soon as possible!

Governor Bill Ritter
136 State Capitol
Denver, CO 80203-1792
Phone: 303-866-2471
Fax: 303-866-2003
Or send him a quick email here

Background and Talking Points

• Both gestation crates and veal crates are typically no more than 2 feet wide and prevent their occupants from turning around, lying down comfortably or engaging in any exercise. This intensive confinement is designed to produce pale tender flesh in veal calves and reduce feed and labor costs for both calves and pigs.
• As highly-intelligent, socially-complex animals, pigs and calves suffer tremendous psychological stress when confined in barren crates. The frustration and depression in the animals manifests itself as repetitive motions-head waving, tongue rolling, habitually chewing parts of the enclosure, etc.-known as stereotypies. In pigs, this stress can also lead to aggressiveness.
• Slatted wood, concrete or metal floors designed to facilitate waste management can lead to serious foot and leg injuries and joint disorders.
• Lack of exercise impairs muscle development and reduces bone strength, which in turn create a higher risk for slipping, falling and injury. Confined pigs are also at greater risk for obesity and heart disease.
• The CEO of one of the largest veal producers in the U.S. has admitted that crates are "inhumane and archaic" and "do nothing more than subject a calf to stress, fear, physical harm and pain."
• Gestation crates have already been banned in Arizona, Florida and Oregon, as well as the UK and 15 members of the European Union. Veal crates have been banned in Arizona and 15 EU states.