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New Poll Finds Five-to-One Margin of Support for
Humane Treatment of Veal Calves in New Jersey
June 4, 2002 -- A new poll released today found that nearly three-quarters
of New Jerseyans (72%) support legislation that would require
farmers involved in veal production in the state to meet certain
standards in how veal calves are raised. A bill requiring the
humane treatment of calves raised for veal has been introduced
in both houses of the New Jersey state legislature this session.
A 1948/S 1478 would require that veal calves must be given enclosures
big enough to turn around in and a diet with sufficient iron and
fiber. Only 15 percent of New Jerseyans register opposition to
such requirements, according to the poll, conducted by the Rutgers-based
Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling. The poll involved
telephone interviews with 803 New Jersey adults during May 2002.
The 5-to-1 level of support for humane veal treatment comes from New Jerseyans of all partisan stripes, including Democrats (72%-14%), Republicans (72%-17%) and independents (74%-15%). Support is also high in all regions of the state, including specifically rural areas (72%).
Popular support for this legislation remains high even if it causes economic hardship for veal producers. According to the survey, only 7 percent of those who initially support the bill change their minds after potential costs to veal producers are taken into account.
To produce veal, baby calves are usually taken from their
mothers and tethered by the neck in crates that are just two-feet-wide.
They can not walk, turn around, or even lie down comfortably,
and this is how they spend their entire lives. The calves are
fed an all-liquid diet, which is deficient in iron and fiber in
order to produce anemia and the pale-colored meat sold as veal.
These veal production methods are already banned in Europe.
According to Gene Bauston, President of Farm Sanctuary, “The
production of crated, anemic veal is inherently cruel, and it
should be banned in the United States as it has been in other
countries. New Jersey could be the first state to prohibit cruel
veal production. I urge the Assembly and Senate to heed the will
of New Jersey residents and pass this legislation.”
Widespread aversion to inhumane veal production in the United
States has led to a precipitous drop in veal consumption —
from three pounds per person in the 1970’s to less than one pound
per person today.
A 1948 and S 1478 are currently in committee in their respective
chambers pending hearings to be scheduled.
More information is available at www.njfarms.org
or www.farmsanctuary.org.
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