Two New Laws to Protect Farm Animals in U.S.

Advances Made in Treatment of Cows, Pigs and Chickens in Two States

Nov 2, 2009

Both California and Michigan signed into law in October measures to improve the lives of farm animals by phasing out some of the most cruel of practices.

In Michigan, governor Jennifer Granholm signed into law new legislation that requires egg-laying hens, breeding pigs and veal calves to have the ability to stand up, lie down, turn around and extend their limbs, rather than being confined to cages where they have limited movement. The legislation was the result of extensive negotiations between animal advocates such as Farm Sanctuary, the Michigan Humane Society and the Human Society of the United States, along with the state's agricultural industry.

Veal Crates to be Eliminated Under New Law

Veal crates, which are used to confine baby cows to extremely small spaces so they cannot move and develop muscle tissue, will be phased out within three years under the new law. Michigan was rated by the Cattleman's Beef Board as the top veal-producing State. However this new law could reduce the veal output of the State dramatically. When the law was signed by Michigan's governor in October 2009, Michigan became the fifth State in the U.S. to ban veal creates.

Battery Cages to be Phased Out

Also in the new law, battery cages for laying hens will be phased out in Michigan within ten years. This will be a dramatic change in how the more than 10 million laying hens in the state are treated. Battery cages keep chickens confined to extremely small spaces where they are unable to stretch their wings or legs, let alone carry out any normal behaviour or social functions. Michigan is now the second state in the U.S. to ban battery cages.

Gestation Crates for Pregnant Pigs to be Banned

As with battery cages for chickens, Michigan animal farmers will have up to 10 years to phase out gestation creates for breeding sows. According to Farm Sanctuary, Michigan has approximately 100,000 breeding pigs and is now the seventh state to ban gestation crates. After pigs are impregnated, sows are confined to small metal pens just two feet wide that prevent them from turning around or even lying down. Even when giving birth, they are not provided with any straw or other type of bedding.

California Bans Cow Tail Docking

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law a tail docking bill in mid-October, which ends the painful amputation of dairy cows' tails. The law was the focus of a celebrity campaign that urged the governor to take action.

Some dairy farmers continue to engage in the tail docking practice, arguing that it prevents dirt on the cows' tails from getting on their udders, improving the hygiene and health of both cows and workers. However, Farm Sanctuary contends that all research done on tail docking shows no benefits at all. In fact tail docking leads to great distress in cows, especially during fly season, as they use their tails to ward off biting insects.

Cruel Practice Leaves Cows in Chronic Pain

Tail docking can also result in both chronic and acute pain for cows. The procedure is carried out by attaching a constrictive band that cuts off blood flow to the tail. However, this painful process can sometimes lead to the formation of dense masses of tangled nerve endings, neuromas, which leave the cow in chronic pain and with an increased sensitivity to heat and cold. The damaged nerves and tissue resulting from tail docking can also lead to infections, such as tetanus and gangrene.

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