New
York State Ponders Better Conditions for Farm Animals

Bill’s
Introduction Follows Calif.’s Landslide Approval of Similar Measure Last Fall

ALBANY,
N.Y. (May 7, 2009) – The Humane Society of the United States and Farm Sanctuary,
headquartered in New York, announced enthusiastic support for legislation
introduced in the New York State Assembly to provide more room for farm
animals.

The bill, A08163, introduced Tuesday
by Assembly member Linda Rosenthal, D-Manhattan, prohibits confining breeding
pigs, calves raised for veal, and egg-laying hens in cages that prevent them
from turning around or extending their limbs.

“This modest measure would make a
world of difference to animals subjected to the terrible pain, discomfort and
abuse of extreme confinement for months on end. Common sense and an abundance
of scientific evidence clearly demonstrates that animals suffer when forced to
remain immobile nearly all of their lives,” said Patrick Kwan, New York state
director for The HSUS.

Californians overwhelmingly passed
a similar measure, The
Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act, by ballot
initiative last fall.

“It’s simply inhumane to confine
animals in cages so small they can’t turn around or extend their limbs,” said
Gene Baur, president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary. “We’ve rescued enough
animals from these cruel confinement systems to know how debilitating they are,
and we urge swift passage of this humane legislation to end this abuse on
factory farms in New York.”

The bill has been referred to the Agriculture Committee,
where it awaits a vote. 

Facts

• The measure would phase out extreme confinement
  systems such as battery cages for hens, veal crates for calves, and
  gestation crates for pigs.
• The
  HSUS and Farm Sanctuary were the main backers of the California
  proposition, which was endorsed by groups including the Center for Food
  Safety, the California Veterinary Medical Association, Union of Concerned
  Scientists and the Consumer Federation of America.
• In
  addition to California, four other states have passed similar reforms,
  including Colorado,
  Florida,
  Arizona
  and Oregon.
• The bill is co-sponsored by the following
  legislators: Nelson Castro, D-Bronx, Amy Paulin, D-Westchester, Alan
  Maisel, D-Brooklyn, John McEneny, D-Kings, Micah Kellner, D-New York,
  Brian Kavanagh, D-Manhattan, Joan Millman, D-Brooklyn, Patricia Eddington,
  D-Suffolk, Annette Robinson, D-Brooklyn and Richard Gottfried, D-Manhattan.

Follow The HSUS on Twitter.

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.

Follow Farm Sanctuary on Twitter.

Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal
protection organization. Since incorporating in 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 refuge efforts. Farm
Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong
care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm
animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory
farming. Additional information can be found at farmsanctuary.org.

The Humane Society of
the United States

2100 L Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 
20037

humanesociety.org

Celebrating Animals,
Confronting Cruelty