Most female pigs in the United States spend their entire adult lives trapped in a metal gestation crate that is too small for them to even turn around or lie down in comfortably. The intensive confinement of these gestation crates is horrific and only serves to allow pork producers to cram together as many pregnant females as possible in order to maximize their profit.
Over 90 percent of New Jersey’s residents would like to see gestation crates banned; therefore, they support Bill S998, which recently passed both the state Assembly and Senate, and is waiting to be signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie. While we may not all agree on what rights farmed animals are entitled to, the vast majority of people easily recognize how barbaric and devoid of any compassion gestation crates are. It’s time to put an end to a cruel practice that puts business profit over morality.
While Christie has political aspirations and ties to big agriculture in the Midwest, he needs to act on behalf of those he represents — it’s time to do what over 90 percent of New Jerseyans want to see done.
Amy Horowitz
East Brunswick