Please write to the Secretary of Agriculture of New Jersey urging them to adopt legislation that treats "food" animals humanely. This issue is currently up for review and debate in that state. This legislation could be used as a model for other state’s statutes or for federal law.

April 17, 2000

Arthur R. Brown, Jr., Secretary of Agriculture

State of New Jersey – Department of Agriculture

John Fitch Plaza

P.O. Box 330

Trenton, NJ 08625-0330

Dear Secretary Brown,

I am writing about New Jersey’s legislation requiring the development of standards for the "humane raising, keeping, care, treatment, marketing, and sale of domestic livestock."

Intensive confinement agriculture is clearly inhumane, and cruelty cannot be allowed under New Jersey’s law. Inhumane systems that should be banned include crates for veal calves, battery cages for egg laying hens (which have already been banned in Europe because they are so cruel), and sow stalls for pregnant pigs.

I urge you to draft guidelines that allow farm animals freedom of movement and an environment that allows them to engage in their basic natural behaviors. Thank you for your attention to and consideration of these critical animal welfare concerns.

Sincerely,

Christina J. Johnson

123 Main Street

Los Angeles, CA 90000