Trenton - On May 13, 2000, the New Jersey Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources spent two hours discussing veal calf protection legislation (A 1948), while an identical companion bill (S 1478) was introduced in the New Jersey Senate. If enacted, this will be the first law in the United States to ban a cruel farming practice.

European countries have banned inhumane veal production and other cruel farming systems, but no similar legislation exists in the United States, despite widespread popular concern. Veal industry representatives are concerned, and humane organizations are hopeful, that New Jersey will establish a precedent and start a nationwide trend by passing veal calf protection legislation.

To produce veal, young calves are chained by the neck in two-foot-wide crates, and this is where they spend their entire lives, unable to walk, turn around, or even lie down comfortably. The calves are fed an all liquid diet that is deficient in iron and fiber in order to induce anemia and the pale-colored meat sold as veal. New Jersey's proposed legislation (A 1948 and S 1478) requires that veal calves be given enough space to turn around and lay down in a normal position, and it requires that they be provided with adequate nutrition.

A Zogby poll conducted in April, 2002 found that 85 percent of New Jersey citizens believe it is unacceptable to tether calves in crates for their entire lives, and 80 percent say it is unacceptable to feed calves a deficient diet. So far, 35 New Jersey restaurants have signed pledges not to serve veal from calves raised in crates who are fed a deficient diet; three New Jersey cities have formally recognized our responsibility to treat farm animals humanely; and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture has received 30,000 comments urging it to prohibit cruel farming practices.

Farm Sanctuary's President, Gene Bauston, testified at the Assembly agriculture committee hearing. He said, "We are very thankful that this issue is receiving the attention it needs. Our treatment of other animals is a reflection of our own humanity, and the cruel treatment of calves raised for veal is unacceptable in a civilized society."

More information is available at www.njfarms.org.