Posted November 19, 2013
A vote to override New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s
veto of a bill banning gestation crates for female pigs was scheduled for
Monday, but was later postponed, according to an article by the Associated
Press available here.
The legislation, NJ S1921, was overwhelmingly
approved by both Houses, but was later vetoed by Gov. Christie in June. The veto override vote was suspended because
Democrats were two votes short, with two Republicans abstaining and two members
absent.
Sponsor of the bill, Sen. Ray Lesniak, said he would
try for a veto override again before the legislative session ends in early
January.
The legislation “criminalizes the confinement of
pregnant pigs in crates so small they can’t stand up and turn around” and would
make the crime punishable by fines up to $1,000.
Christie said that he vetoed the measure because “animal
care standards are best left to state agricultural experts.” Some, however, accused Christie of “pandering
to Iowa farmers” as the likely 2016 presidential candidate.
Gestation crates have already been banned by Florida,
nine other states, and the European Union, according to an article by NJ
Spotlight available here. In Australia and New Zealand, bans will take
effect over the next two years and Canada will phase out the practice over the
next 10 years.
Over 60 major food companies including Chipotle,
Campbell’s Soup, McDonald’s, Costco, and Oscar Mayer are also “following suit.”
For more information on animal welfare, please visit
the National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
