Current Press Releases

Legislation Introduced to Ban Veal Production in New Jersey

Could Be First Law to Protect Farm Animals
in the United States

NEW JERSEY -February 25 , 2002 - Assemblywoman Loretta Weinberg has introduced legislation (A-1948) to outlaw inhumane methods used to produce veal. If enacted, this will be the first law in the United States to ban a cruel farming practice. By contrast, European nations have enacted legislation to ban veal production as well as other inhumane farming systems.

Gene Baur (formerly Bauston), President of Farm Sanctuary, commented, "It is embarrassing that farm animal protection laws in the United States are so far behind those of other developed countries. We thank and commend Assemblywoman Weinberg for introducing legislation to outlaw cruel veal production, and we strongly support her proposal."

To produce veal, young calves are chained by the neck in two-foot-wide crates, and this is where they spend their entire lives. The calves are fed a diet deficient in iron and fiber in order to induce anemia and the pale-colored meat sold as veal. The Weinberg bill will outlaw these inhumane practices in the state, and it comes at a time of heightened consumer awareness and concern about cruel farming practices in New Jersey.

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture, which is currently drafting standards for the humane treatment of farm animals as mandated by state law, has received more than 20,000 comments urging a prohibition on veal production and other cruel farming methods. Various public opinion polls have found that most Americans oppose inhumane methods used to produce veal, and veal consumption in the U.S. has dropped from three pounds per person in the 1970's to less than one pound per person today. Over the past year, more than 20 New Jersey restaurants have signed Farm Sanctuary's pledge not to serve veal because of animal welfare concerns.

For more information about veal production and Farm Sanctuary's "No Veal" campaign, please see www.NoVeal.org; for more information about the New Jersey Department of Agriculture's drafting humane standards, please see www.NJfarms.org; and for more information about Farm Sanctuary, please see www.FarmSanctuary.org.

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.