Trenton, N.J. –The New Jersey legislature has voted by landslide margins to ban the extreme confinement of breeding pigs in crates so small, they prevent the animals from even turning around for nearly their entire lives. The vote earned applause from The Humane Society of the United States, Farm Sanctuary, Mercy For Animals and the ASPCA.

The bill, S.1921, was sponsored by Sen. Raymond Lesniak, D-Union, and the Assembly companion bill sponsored by Assemblyman Gilbert Wilson, D-Audubon, Assemblywoman Marlene Caride, D-Ridgefield and Assemblyman Thomas Giblin, D-Clifton. They overwhelmingly passed the Assembly by a vote of 60 to 5 and Senate by a vote of 29 to 4. The legislation now goes to Gov. Chris Christie for his signature.

S.1921 would require that breeding pigs be able to at least stand up, lie down, turn around and extend their limbs. In the pork industry, the vast majority of breeding pigs are confined day and night during their four-month pregnancy in gestation crates–cages roughly the size as the animals’ bodies. The pigs are then placed into another crate to give birth, are re-impregnated, and put back into a gestation crate. This happens pregnancy after pregnancy for their entire lives, adding up to years of virtual immobilization. A statewide survey conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research reveals 89 percent of New Jersey voters support Gov. Christie signing the bill into law.

Kathleen Schatzmann, New Jersey state director for The HSUS said: “Kudos to the New Jersey Legislature for taking a strong stance against the inhumane practice of immobilizing breeding pigs for virtually their entire lives. We thank Sen. Lesniak for his leadership on animal protection issues and urge Governor Chris Christie to pass this bill.”

Bruce Friedrich, senior director for strategic initiatives at Farm Sanctuary, said: “This decision from New Jersey’s legislature is further evidence that these cruel systems have no future. Cramming animals into crates so small that they can’t even turn around is horribly abusive. These systems have no place in a just society.”

Debora Bresch, Esq., senior state director of government relations, mid-Atlantic region, at the ASPCA said: “Other states have already acted to prohibit inhumane confinement of pigs in gestation crates, and we’re glad New Jersey is following suit. We appreciate the legislature’s commitment to more humane confinement of breeding pigs and look forward to the governor’s support.”

Nathan Runkle, executive director for Mercy For Animals, said: “Mercy For Animals applauds New Jersey for taking this important step to outlaw the cruel confinement of pregnant pigs, one of the worst forms of factory farm cruelty.”

Click here to see a commercial in support of the bill that aired across the state.

Media Contacts:

The HSUS: Anna West, [email protected], 301-258-1518

Farm Sanctuary: Meredith Turner, [email protected], 646-369-6212

ASPCA: Maureen Linehan, [email protected], 646-291-4602

Mercy For Animals: Vandhana Bala, [email protected], 312-909-6051

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization—backed by 11 million Americans, or one of every 28. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty—on the web at humanesociety.org.

About the ASPCA®: Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, please visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Farm Sanctuary is America’s largest and most effective farm animal protection and rescue organization. Since 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the “food animal” industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and shelter efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, New York; Orland, California; and Los Angeles provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals. These animals stand as ambassadors for the billions on factory farms who have no voice, and their stories help raise awareness about the harsh realities of factory farming.

Mercy For Animals is dedicated to preventing cruelty to farmed animals and promoting compassionate food choices and policies through undercover investigations, legal advocacy, corporate outreach, and education campaigns. mercyforanimals.org

Founded in 1986, Farm Sanctuary works to change how our society views and treats farm animals through rescue, education and advocacy. The organization provides lifelong care for animals rescued from abuse at sanctuary locations in New York and California; promotes compassionate vegan living; and advocates legal and policy reforms. To learn more about Farm Sanctuary, visit farmsanctuary.org.