HSUS Urges Maryland Lawmakers to Phase out Inhumane Factory Farming Practice

WASHINGTON  – The Humane Society of the United States urges state lawmakers to pass legislation that would add Maryland to the growing number of states that are prohibiting one of the most abusive practices in factory farming: confining breeding pigs in metal crates so small the animals can't turn around for months on end.

Senator Gwendolyn Britt (D-47th, Prince George's County) introduced SB 821 late last week. The bill would phase out the use of gestation crates over the next four years.

"Gestation crates are one of the most cruel and inhumane confinement systems used in today's factory farms," said Michael Markarian, HSUS executive vice president. "Maryland lawmakers should make it clear that the Free State provides freedom of movement to farm animals. Maryland should be no refuge for abusive agribusiness practices that deny these highly intelligent and social creatures the basic ability to turn around and stretch their limbs."

Gestation crates are banned in the European Union, and Smithfield Foods - the nation's largest pig producer - announced last month that it is ending its confinement of pigs in gestation crates. Both Florida and Arizona have banned gestation crates as well.

Facts:

SB 821 requires that pigs during pregnancy be given enough room to lie down, turn around and extend their limbs.

An estimated 60 to 70 percent of sows who make up the "breeding stock" on U.S. pig farms spend nearly all of their four-month pregnancies confined in barren gestation crates.

The individual metal stalls are only 2 feet wide, so small the animals cannot even turn around or take more than a step forward or backward. The sows stand on slatted floors where excrement is pushed through when they lie down.

On average, sows spend up to four years - nearly 80 percent of their lives before slaughter - in this filthy two-foot-wide space.

Leading animal welfare experts agree that gestation crates pose significant animal welfare concerns.

Timeline:

February 16, 2007 - Senator Gwendolyn Britt introduces SB 821.

January 2007- The U.S. and Canada's largest pig producers, Smithfield Foods and Maple Leaf Foods, announce that they are phasing out their use of gestation crates.

November 2006 - Arizona passes an HSUS-led ballot initiative phasing out gestation crates in a landslide, with 62 percent of voters approving.

November 2002 - Florida voters overwhelmingly pass an HSUS-led constitutional amendment banning gestation crates.

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with nearly 10 million members and constituents, including over 216,000 in Maryland. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, marine mammals, animals in research, equine protection, and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy and field work. The nonprofit organization is based in Washington and has field representatives and offices across the country.