Bans on Inhumane Farming Practices: Some States Step Up While Others Stonewall

Even as some state legislatures seek to cover up abuse via ag-gag bills, a few are in pursuit of higher ground: last year, Rhode Island joined a growing list of states that prohibit intensive confinement crates for calves raised for veal and gestating sows. Rhode Island also became the fourth state to ban routine tail docking of cattle.

Even as some state legislatures seek to cover up abuse via ag-gag bills, a few are in pursuit of higher ground: last year, Rhode Island joined a growing list of states that prohibit intensive confinement crates for calves raised for veal and gestating sows. Rhode Island also became the fourth state to ban routine tail docking of cattle. In 2013, anti-confinement bills were being considered in six states—Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Vermont—and legislation to ban routine tail docking of beef and/or dairy cattle has been introduced in Colorado and Washington.

The bill to ban veal and gestation crates in New Hampshire and the bill to prohibit cattle tail docking in Washington both failed to pass out of committee. However, the proposed ban on gestation crates in New Jersey passed both the Senate and the Assembly, and at press time awaits only the governor’s signature to become law. Passage would make New Jersey the tenth state to outlaw this inhumane method of confining pregnant sows.