The citizens of California have the opportunity to stop some of the most atrocious and inhumane conditions endured by animals on industrialized farms. AB 732 seeks to outlaw veal crates and gestation crates, two-foot wide enclosures where calves and pigs are confined so tightly that they cannot walk, turn around, or even lie down comfortably. These cruel devices have been outlawed by countries in Europe, and should be banned in the U.S. as well. AB 732 also seeks to prohibit veal producers from denying calves adequate iron and fiber in their diets, a practice that is intended to produce borderline anemia and the pale colored meat sold as veal.
When I was a child I was able to visit my relatives’ farm in Italy. I became very upset at the sight of a calf chained and unable to move inside a very small crate. My great uncle explained “veal farming” to me and I was so distressed that I went on a hunger strike until he promised to stop raising cows for veal. I was five years old! He kept his promise. I have continued this campaign on my own for many years and as an Italian American am pleased that there are now organizations that support this ban. And now, the citizens of California can help stop this appalling system. A recent Zogby poll found that 73 percent of Californians are in favor of laws regulating the humane treatment of animals raised for food.
I urge readers to support and help AB732 pass in the California legislature. Please contact your state legislators to urge them to support AB732. To find contact information for your California state legislator, please visit: www.assembly.ca.gov/defaulttext.asp.
For more detailed information about factory farming, please see: www.factoryfarming.com California is a state that people look toward as innovative. Let’s make California an example of ethical behavior and treat animals humanely.
Alessandra DeClario