Today HumaneWatch.org, a project of the Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) sent a letter to educate New Jersey Assemblymembers on the hundreds of veterinarians who recently voiced support for the use of maternity pens to house pregnant pigs. The American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Swine Veterinarians both find that housing sows individually is an option that provides for animal welfare.
This communication was sent in response to a Monday letter in support of Assembly Bill 3250 that was written by an arm of the Humane Society of the United States, a vegan animal rights group trying to drive pork farmers out of business. A.B. 3250 would ban the use of individual maternity pens, widely used across the pork industry to safely house pregnant pigs.
Anti-meat animal rights activists have been trying to ban the pens in hopes of forcing farmers to make costly infrastructure changes—increasing the price of meat for consumers and driving farms who can’t afford the cost out of business.
“New Jersey shouldn’t roll over for the radical PETA types at the Humane Society of the United States who want to take bacon out of BLTs,” said CCF Executive Director Rick Berman. “Swine veterinarians know what’s humane for pigs.”
Included in CCF’s letter is a statement in support of maternity pens signed by 200 veterinarians, including swine health management experts certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. The letter and attachment may be viewed here: www.humanewatch.org/images/uploads/NJSwineLetter.pdf
