Gov. Phil Murphy Ends Severe Pig & Calf Confinement in New Jersey

Animal activists are celebrating Gov. Phil Murphy signing legislation that bans intensive confinement of mother pigs and calves raised for veal in New Jersey. Photos: HSUS

TRENTON, N.J. (July 26, 2023) — In Defense of Animals applauds the passage of legislation that bans intensive confinement of mother pigs and calves raised for veal in New Jersey with Gov. Phil Murphy signing A1970/S1298 into law.

The bill, sponsored by Sens. Vin Gopal and Nick Scutari and Assemblymembers Raj Mukherji, Daniel Benson, and Carol Murphy, prevents the use of gestation crates for sows and veal crates for calves, and will impose penalties for violators.

“This is a long-awaited victory,” said Katie Nolan, General Campaigner at In Defense of Animals. “We have supported activists working to end extreme animal confinement on New Jersey farms for 5 years, but it has taken more than 13 years. Today marks a momentous victory for animals and we are grateful to Gov. Murphy for signing this important animal protection law. Now, pigs and cows in New Jersey will be able to turn around, groom themselves and their babies, and simply see each other.”

The practice of confining mother sows and calves raised for veal in crates so small they can’t enjoy the simple luxury of even being able to turn around is accepted as standard. However, this type of extreme and prolonged confinement is considered to be one of the worst forms of cruelty inflicted on farmed animals today.

There’s no shortage of scientific evidence suggesting pigs are incredibly intelligent and social animals with cognitive abilities that rival that of a three-year-old child and that confining them this way causes severe physical and psychological disorders.

Male calves, who are considered nothing more than a byproduct, also suffer tremendously in veal crates.

“We are grateful to thousands of In Defense of Animals supporters in New Jersey who have been tirelessly supporting this bill for many years. This is a huge victory, but we will not rest until extreme confinement is banned in all states,” said Lisa Levinson, Campaigns Director at In Defense of Animals. “We urgently need to end the abuse of farmed animals and build a more humane and sustainable plant-based food system.”

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Find out more about standard farming practices. 

Over 3,500 In Defense of Animals supporters in New Jersey have written to decision-makers urging them to ban veal and gestation crates:

July 2021: New Jersey Residents: Ask Governor Murphy to End The Cruel Confinement of Mother Pigs & Baby Cattle https://www.idausa.org/campaign/farmed-animal/latest-news/governor-ban-crates-nj/

Feb. 2023: New Jersey Residents: End The Cruel Confinement of Mother Pigs and Baby Cattle https://www.idausa.org/campaign/farmed-animal/latest-news/new-jersey-confinement-ban/

April 2021: New Jersey: Ban Torturous Gestation and Veal Crates!

https://www.idausa.org/campaign/farmed-animal/latest-news/gestation-crates-ban-new-jersey/

May 2020: New Jersey Residents: Crack Down on Pig Torture Deviceshttps://www.idausa.org/campaign/farmed-animal/latest-news/new-jersey-residents-crack-down-on-pig-torture-devices/

Feb. 2019: New Jersey Residents: Help Peter and Gerry Speak Up for Suffering Pigs!https://www.idausa.org/campaign/farmed-animal/latest-news/new-jersey-residents-help-peter-and-gerry-speak-up-for-suffering-pigs/

Sept. 2018: Help Us Ban Cruel Gestation Crates in New Jersey!https://www.idausa.org/campaign/farmed-animal/latest-news/help-us-ban-cruel-gestation-crates-in-new-jersey/

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization based in Marin County, California, with over 250,000 supporters and a 40-year history of fighting for animals, people, and the environment through education and campaigns, as well as hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, California and Mississippi. www.idausa.org/campaign/farmed-animal