Bill to ban worst abuses of factory farming

This is a press release just issued by Farm Sanctuary, giving their support to a bill introduced in Massachusetts, aimed at reducing some of the worst abuses of factory farming.                                             

Farm Sanctuary Supports Massachusetts Bill to Ban Factory Farming’s Worst Abuses

Massachusetts Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act Would Give Farm Animals Enough Room to Turn Around, Lie Down and Extend Their Limbs

BOSTON, MA– January 26, 2011 – Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization, supports the introduction of a bipartisan state bill that would prevent some of the most cruel and inhumane confinement of farm animals in Massachusetts. The bill, named the Massachusetts Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act, introduced by Rep. Jason M. Lewis (D-Winchester) and Minority Whip Sen. Robert L. Hedlund (R-Hingham), would require that farm animals have enough room to turn around freely, lie down, stand up and fully extend their limbs. These basic standards of care are often absent on many industrial factory farms.

The law would prevent three of the worst factory farm abuses: veal crates for calves, battery cages for egg-laying hens and gestation crates for breeding pigs.

Dr. Allan Kornberg, executive director of Farm Sanctuary and a longtime resident of Massachusetts, said, “Farm animals are highly sensitive, intelligent animals who deserve to be treated with respect and consideration, not like unfeeling machinery. Confining animals in cages so small they can barely move is inhumane and it is not aligned with the values of the compassionate people of Massachusetts. We encourage other elected officials to co-sponsor and support this important piece of legislation.”

Seven states — Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Maine, Michigan and Oregon — have passed laws to phase out one or more of these factory farm abuses.

Farm Sanctuary, currently celebrating its 25th anniversary year, urged passage of the first laws in the U.S. to protect farm animals on factory farms and established two of the first shelters for rescued farm animals in this country.

 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 farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.

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This press release was re-printed, with permission from Farm Sanctuary