SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 3401

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 16, 2021

      The Senate Judiciary Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 3401.

      This bill would prohibit the confinement of breeding pigs and calves raised for veal in a manner that unduly restricts movement or provides inadequate space.  Specifically, the bill would prohibit a farm owner or operator from knowingly confining a breeding pig or a calf raised for veal:

      - in a manner that prevents the animal from lying down, standing up, fully extending the animal’s limbs, or turning around freely;

      - in the case of a breeding pig, within an enclosure with less than 24 square feet of useable floor space per breeding pig; or

      - in the case of a calf raised for veal, within an enclosure with less than 43 square feet of useable floor space per calf.

      A violation of the bill’s prohibitions would constitute a disorderly persons offense, subject to a term of imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of not less than $250 or more than $1,000, or both, in addition to any other penalties that may be applicable pursuant to the Criminal Code, Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes.  The bill also provides that a violation of the bill’s provisions would be a civil violation of the animal cruelty laws and a violator would be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $250 or more than $1,000.  Each breeding pig or calf raised for veal that is confined in violation of the provisions of the bill would be a separate and distinct offense.

      The bill would exempt from the bill’s provisions confinement during:

      - the conduct of medical research;

      - the conduct of an examination, testing, individual treatment, or surgery for veterinary purposes;

      - transportation of the animal;

      - a State or county fair exhibition, 4-H program, or similar exhibition;

      - temporary periods for animal husbandry purposes, provided the confinement is for no more than six hours in any 24-hour period and no more than a total of 24 hours in any 30-day period;

      - humane slaughtering of the animal in accordance with all applicable laws, and rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, concerning the slaughter of animals; or

      - for a breeding pig, the five-day period prior to the expected date of the breeding pig giving birth or any day the breeding pig is nursing piglets.