Assemblyman Joe Roberts Blocks Humane Legislation at Last Minute

Watkins Glen, NY: New Jersey is on the verge of passing humane legislation to prevent the cruel treatment of veal calves, but Joe Roberts, the Assembly majority leader, is blocking its passage. The measure, which passed the state senate and all necessary committees, is facing one final vote on the assembly floor.

Assemblyman Roberts said he would post the bill for a floor vote, but he changed his position at the last minute. He is refusing to allow a vote, despite hearing from thousands of concerned citizens, businesses, veterinarians, and others.

The legislation (A 1948 / S 1478) requires that calves who are raised for veal be provided enough space to turn around, and it requires that they be given a diet with adequate iron to prevent anemia, and adequate fiber to allow their digestive systems to develop normally. A poll conducted by the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University found a five to one margin of support for this proposal among New Jersey citizens.

To produce veal, calves are typically chained by their necks in crates. This is where they spend their entire lives, unable to walk, turn around, or even lie down comfortably. They are fed an all-liquid diet that is lacking in iron and fiber, which produces borderline anemia and the pale-colored flesh sold as veal. Such cruelty has been outlawed in other countries, and it should be prohibited in the United States, as well.

"The veal bill is a common sense proposal that requires calves to be given basic humane consideration," said Farm Sanctuary president, Gene Bauston. "This legislation has the support of most New Jersey citizens, and if were scheduled for a vote on the Assembly floor, it would certainly pass. By refusing to allow a vote, Assemblyman Roberts is serving the narrow interests of agribusiness to the detriment of broader popular concerns and basic human decency."

With over 100,000 active members across the country, including celebrities Casey Affleck, Kim Basinger, Noah Wyle, Alicia Silverstone, and Hollywood legend Mary Tyler Moore, Farm Sanctuary, the nation's leading voice for farm animals, works to end farm animal suffering through legislative and legal actions, cruelty investigations, humane education, public awareness projects, and direct rescue and shelter efforts.

For more information, please contact campaign@farmsanctuary.org or call 607-583-2225 ext 247.