TRENTON, NJ. — New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed into law enhanced regulations for breeding pigs and calves’ confinement on July 26. The legislation prohibits the animals’ confinement in an enclosure that does not allow them to move freely and groom themselves and limits their visual contact with others.

“As the Garden State, agriculture is at the heart of New Jersey’s identity,” Murphy said. “Ensuring that we are following humane farming practices and that farm animals are treated with care, rather than kept in enclosures so small they are immobilized, is a reflection of our values.”

The new rule will be enforced 180 days after the governor’s signing.

Exceptions for the regulations may include medical research, examination or testing, transportation, temporary exhibitions, humane slaughter, confinement during the 14-day period before a pig gives birth, and when sows are nursing piglets.

“The confinement of mother pigs and calves raised for veal, a common practice among factory farms, constitutes a severe form of animal abuse, and should not be allowed,” said New Jersey State Senator Vin Gopal. “While we are assured the majority of our hog farmers do not use this method of confinement, New Jersey needs to stand with other states and other countries in making sure this uncivilized practice is banned once and for all.”

New Jersey is the 11^th state to adopt an anti-gestation crate policy. The bill passed 35 to 1 in the Senate a few weeks ago.

New Jersey’s new law builds on the Supreme Court’s ruling of California’s Proposition 12, which prohibits the sale of eggs, pork and veal sourced from animals that were housed in enclosures that do not meet the state’s confinement standards.