November 23, 2002

Dear New Jersey Legislator,

We write today to urge your support of S 1478 and A 1948 to ban cruel veal production.

The cruelty that has become commonplace on industrialized farms in America is shameful, and the disrespect we show these animals reflects poorly on us as humans.

To produce veal, baby calves are torn from their mothers and chained in tiny wooden crates. The severe confinement and lack of exercise prevents their muscles from developing, and this keeps their flesh soft. The animals can become so weak that they have difficulty walking when they are taken to slaughter.

Like other Americans, we have been appalled to learn about cruel veal production. We have seen pictures and videotape showing calves crowded in small crates where they can barely move, and this is how they spend their whole lives. We cannot allow this to continue. Farm animals feel pain just like other animals, and there is no excuse for systematic animal cruelty such as this occurring on industrialized factory farms.

Accordingly, we ask that you take an ethical stand and support legislation to ban cruel veal production methods. Such egregious animal cruelty cannot be tolerated in a civilized country.

You have a unique opportunity to help bring some civility back into farming by passing legislation to protect veal calves. We urge you to take this responsibility seriously.