Imagine spending your entire life inside. Not just inside, but in a
crate. And not just any crate, either. This crate you’re in is so small
that you will never be able to turn around in it. Ever. For the duration
of your life.
This kind of life is what it’s like for female pigs (or sows) who are used for breeding in factory farms. They are confined to gestation crates, which are usually only two feet wide. The sow can’t turn around, she can’t take steps backwards or forwards and she will never know any kind of life outside that crate. Not only is there limited-to-no mobility, waste piles up underneath the sows, severely diminishing the air quality within the housing unit.
Since 95 percent of pork in the United States comes from factory farms, almost all sows are subjected to this kind of torture. On average, a sow breeds two times per year and lives until she is three or four. After enduring this for years, she will be sent to slaughter for meat.
In early 2014, Canada took a big step to completely ban gestation creates in the entire country. The U.S. is making strides, with nine states already committed to banning gestation crates, but we’re still not close to the example Canada set for us.
1. Arizona
2. California
3. Colorado
4. Florida
5. Maine
6. Michigan
7. Ohio
8. Oregon
9. Rhode Island
And unfortunately, we still have a long way to go. Just a month ago, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie vetoed a ban on gestation crates in New Jersey, despite 93 percent of state residents wanting Christie to sign the legislation. Maybe Christie — and politicians of the other 41 states — should take a page from these nine states and start taking steps to a better future for farm animals.
Banning gestation crates will undoubtedly improve the lives of millions of pigs in factory farms, however, it is important to remember that this is an improvement, not an all-out win for pigs. The reality is that as long as the demand for pork, bacon and countless other pig products exist, these animals will continue to be viewed as commodities and never really afforded the respect or the life they deserve. Banning gestation crates is the first step in acknowledging the multitude of cruel practices used by the factory farming industry. Once we start to look at the cruel ways we use animals, we can recognize that the best way to help these animals is not to participate in their exploitation at all. Why support an industry that will continue to exploit animals if a truly humane alternative exists?
- More Here and this guy Christie is planning to run for president in 2016. Really, Christie? What do you gain by making these poor pigs suffer more in NJ?
This kind of life is what it’s like for female pigs (or sows) who are used for breeding in factory farms. They are confined to gestation crates, which are usually only two feet wide. The sow can’t turn around, she can’t take steps backwards or forwards and she will never know any kind of life outside that crate. Not only is there limited-to-no mobility, waste piles up underneath the sows, severely diminishing the air quality within the housing unit.
Since 95 percent of pork in the United States comes from factory farms, almost all sows are subjected to this kind of torture. On average, a sow breeds two times per year and lives until she is three or four. After enduring this for years, she will be sent to slaughter for meat.
In early 2014, Canada took a big step to completely ban gestation creates in the entire country. The U.S. is making strides, with nine states already committed to banning gestation crates, but we’re still not close to the example Canada set for us.
1. Arizona
2. California
3. Colorado
4. Florida
5. Maine
6. Michigan
7. Ohio
8. Oregon
9. Rhode Island
And unfortunately, we still have a long way to go. Just a month ago, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie vetoed a ban on gestation crates in New Jersey, despite 93 percent of state residents wanting Christie to sign the legislation. Maybe Christie — and politicians of the other 41 states — should take a page from these nine states and start taking steps to a better future for farm animals.
Banning gestation crates will undoubtedly improve the lives of millions of pigs in factory farms, however, it is important to remember that this is an improvement, not an all-out win for pigs. The reality is that as long as the demand for pork, bacon and countless other pig products exist, these animals will continue to be viewed as commodities and never really afforded the respect or the life they deserve. Banning gestation crates is the first step in acknowledging the multitude of cruel practices used by the factory farming industry. Once we start to look at the cruel ways we use animals, we can recognize that the best way to help these animals is not to participate in their exploitation at all. Why support an industry that will continue to exploit animals if a truly humane alternative exists?
- More Here and this guy Christie is planning to run for president in 2016. Really, Christie? What do you gain by making these poor pigs suffer more in NJ?
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