2/16/2007 Update: Statement from Farm Sanctuary Regarding Ruling of the Superior Court of New Jersey Appellate Division

Oral Arguments Heard Today in Legal Case Against New Jersey Department of Agriculture

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Broad Coalition Challenging Department of Agriculture's So-Called "Humane" Regulations Which Allow Rampant Animal Cruelty on Factory Farms

Trenton, NJ - December 13, 2006 - Today, oral arguments will be heard in a landmark case, challenging the New Jersey Department of Agriculture's (NJDA) mandated "humane" standards for farm animals. A broad coalition of humane organizations, farmers, veterinarians, environmental and consumer groups allege that the NJDA has failed to establish humane standards for farm animals - as required by the New Jersey legislature in 1996 - and has instead sanctioned numerous inhumane practices used to raise animals for meat, eggs and milk on industrialized factory farms.

This lawsuit seeks a judicial declaration that many regulations that authorize cruel factory farming practices are illegal under New Jersey law, and goes beyond any previous legal action taken on behalf of farm animals in the United States.

The plaintiffs include Farm Sanctuary, the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, The Humane Society of the United States, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Animal Welfare Institute, Animal Welfare Advocacy, Saving Our Resources Today, Center for Food Safety, the Organic Consumers Association, farmers and citizens.

The NJDA regulations permit numerous inhumane farming practices, including:

The NJDA permitted the starvation of egg laying hens by forced molting with the original version of the Department's "humane" standards, but recently removed this factory farming practice from the list of acceptable standards, finally ceding to one of the many inhumane issues addressed by the plaintiffs.

"Ending forced molting is a step in the right direction, but unfortunately this issue was only one of many inhumane practices endorsed by New Jersey Department of Agriculture." said Gene Baur, president of Farm Sanctuary. "The department continues to cater to the will of factory farming, endorsing cruelty to animals as a standard business practice."

In 1996, the New Jersey legislature directed the NJDA to develop appropriate "standards for humane raising, keeping, care, treatment, marketing, and sale of domestic livestock." By law, these regulations were supposed to protect farm animals from inhumane, industrialized farming practices.

In May 2004, the agency finally issued regulations that not only continue to allow industrialized farming practices, but provide broad exemptions for agribusiness. The regulations exempt "routine husbandry practices," essentially codifying the abusive practices the legislature sought to change.

"New Jersey Department of Agriculture officials may be the only people left in America who still think factory farming is humane," said Jonathan R. Lovvorn, vice president of animal protection litigation for The HSUS. "Those animals raised for food deserve protection from egregious cruelty during their lives."

The organizations are represented by the public interest law firms Meyer Glitzenstein & Crystal, Washington, D.C., and Egert & Trakinski, Hackensack, N.J. More information about the New Jersey lawsuit can be found at njfarms.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, NY and Orland, CA 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.

About the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NJSPCA) The NJSPCA is the law enforcement agency that is charged with enforcing the animal cruelty statutes in New Jersey. The organization was enacted in 1868.

About the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with nearly 10 million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, marine mammals, animals in research, equine protection, and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy and field work. The nonprofit organization is based in Washington and has field representatives and offices across the country, including one in Flanders, NJ. On the web at www.hsus.org.

About the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is the nation's first humane organization. More than 750,000 members support the ASPCA's mission to promote humane principles, prevent cruelty and alleviate pain, fear and suffering in animals. www.aspca.org.

Note to Media: Video and photos are available at http://www.njfarms.org/B_video.htm

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