Victory for Farm Animals

Score one for Babe!

On Monday, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm signed a law requiring that some farm animals stuck in cages have enough room to turn around and fully extend their limbs.

According to the Associated Press, the law requires that the state will phase out battery cages for egg-laying chickens in 10 years. These cages are so small they typically do not even allow the bird to spread its wings.

The bill will also ban veal crates in three years and gestation crates for pregnant pigs in 10 years. Like the battery cages, veal and gestation crates are so tiny and cramped they typically do not even allow the animal a little wiggle room.

The bill is clearly welcome news to the state's 10 million hens, 100,000 breeding pigs and scores of baby cows, as well as the people who love them.

"This law represents modest yet important advancements for farm animals in our state," Michigan Humane Society President Cal Morgan said in a statement on The Humane Society of the United States Web site.

Gene Baur, president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary, added, "Giving animals at least enough room to turn around and extend their limbs is something we can all support. We applaud Governor Granholm for signing this important reform."

Michigan is following in the footsteps of states like Arizona, California and Florida, who have passed similar measures in ballot initiatives, as well as Maine, Colorado and Oregon, who have passed similar laws in their state legislatures.

And yes, we realize that many of these animals are eventually headed for slaughter, but we're glad they can at least be a little more comfortable while they're still with us.

Photo courtesy of titanium22 via Wikimedia Commons.