I am writing to you today to urge that the Department of Agriculture, in developing regulations "for the humane raising, keeping, care, treatment, marketing, and sale of domestic livestock," specifically proscribe crates for veal calves, battery cages for egg-laying hens, and gestation crates for pregnant pigs.

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome, or PRRS, was first reported in U.S. Herds in 1987. It is now estimated to be in as many as 60 percent of U.S. herds. Swine arthritis has increased in economic importance with confinement rearing, partly because of faster growth and lack of exercise...The incidence of salmonellosis has continued to increase. It is estimated that one-third to half of farms have some level of salmonellosis. Forty to 70 percent of U.S. pigs show evidence of infection with bratislava (a type of Leptospirosis)...Tests indicate 80 percent to 85 percent of sows in major swine producing areas have been exposed to parvovirus.

I respectfully request that you specifically proscribe crates for veal calves, battery cages for egg-laying hens, and gestation crates for pregnant pigs when developing domestic livestock regulations.