The Humane Society of the United States praises Massachusetts Rep. Jason M. Lewis, D-Winchester, and Minority Whip Sen. Robert L. Hedlund, R-Weymouth, for introducing a bipartisan state bill that would prevent some of the most cruel and inhumane confinement of farm animals in Massachusetts. The HSUS encourages other elected officials to co-sponsor and support this important piece of legislation.
The bill, named the Massachusetts Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act, would require that farm animals have enough room to turn around freely, lie down, stand up and fully extend their limbs—a basic standard of care 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.
Sen. Hedlund said, “This common-sense legislation helps stop animal cruelty, protects the environment, and protects our state’s family farmers from massive factory farms that threaten their livelihood.”
Alexis Fox, The HSUS’ Massachusetts state director, said, “The Humane Society of the United States commends Representative Lewis and Senator Hedlund for introducing this bill to prevent cruel and inhumane confinement of farm animals. It’s simply wrong to confine animals in tiny cages barely larger than their bodies.”
Seven states—Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Maine, Michigan and Oregon—have passed laws to phase out one or more of these factory farm abuses.
Facts:
- Across the country, restaurants, producers, and retailers—including Burger King, Wendy’s, Denny’s, Subway, Sonic, Quiznos, Hardee’s, Red Robin and Carl’s Jr., Hellmann’s, Wal-Mart, Safeway and many more—are increasingly moving away from supporting cages and crates on factory farms.
- Factory farming is a major social issue: An American Farm Bureau-funded report found that 75 percent of Americans would vote for a law requiring producers to treat animals more humanely.
- The city of Cambridge, Mass., passed a resolution encouraging local residents and restaurants to not buy battery eggs.
- In 2010, the town of Brookline, Mass., passed a resolution encouraging residents to avoid veal because of the incredible cruelty involved in its production.
- The city of Pittsfield, Mass., enacted an ordinance prohibiting battery cages, veal crates and gestation crates.
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