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Poll Finds 70% Support for Bill (AB 732) Seeking Ban on Cruel Factory Farm Methods in California

CALIFORNIA- April 28, 2003 - A Zogby poll completed last week found that seven out of ten likely voters in California favor passage of AB 732, a bill to protect animals from inhumane confinement on industrialized farms. This legislation requires that pigs and calves be provided at least enough space to turn around, and it would prohibit the use of "veal crates" and "gestation crates". AB 732 passed the Public Safety committee on April 8th, and it is slated for a vote in the Agriculture committee on Thursday, May 1st. AB 732 is part of a growing nationwide effort aimed at prohibiting inhumane factory farming devices.

Zogby reports, "Voters are unambivalent in their support for a law regulating the humane treatment of calves and pigs raised for food... By more than three to one, California voters agree that there should be legislation requiring farmers to allow enough room for calves raised for veal and pigs to move and turn around."

Calves raised for veal are taken from their mothers at birth and chained by the neck in crates measuring just two feet wide. This is how they spend their entire lives, unable to walk, turn around, or even lie down comfortably. Like veal calves, female pigs kept for breeding are packed into narrow cages that are barely larger than their bodies. They are called gestation crates because the pigs are kept here during their gestation period. They live a constant cycle of impregnation, birth, and re-impregnation that can last for years. Pigs and calves subjected to this extreme confinement experience both physical and psychological disorders.

"It is not only cruel but unnecessary to confine pregnant pigs and young calves to crates and cages that do not allow them to turn around or move more than a few inches," said Assemblywoman Loni Hancock (D-Berkeley). "These crates and cages are not used in many European countries and have been banned in the state of Florida. AB 732 will mandate basic decent treatment for these animals."

Veal crates and gestation crates have been outlawed by European nations for years, and there is now a move to prohibit their use in the United States. In November 2002, over 2.5 million Floridians voted for a ballot measure and enacted a statewide ban on gestation crates. A bill that would prevent the use of veal crates in New Jersey passed the state Senate and is now awaiting a vote on the Assembly floor.

According to Farm Sanctuary president, Gene Baur (formerly Bauston), "Agribusiness' cruel treatment of farm animals is out of line with consumer's sentiments. It is time for laws in the United States to more clearly reflect our cultural values and for inhumane factory farming practices to be outlawed."

For more information about veal crates and gestation crates, including pictures and scientific reports, please see www.factoryfarming.com.

About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.