By TIM ALEXANDER
Illinois Correspondent

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - On Feb. 10, legislation that would ban the use of gestation stalls (or crates) in Illinois’ animal agriculture industry was introduced in the Illinois Senate, drawing swift reaction from officials with the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) and Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA). Senate Bill 1337 was introduced by Sen. James DeLeo (D-Chicago) and sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States.

The measure’s language closely mirrors that of California’s controversial Proposition 2 ballot initiative, approved last November by public vote, in that it prohibits the confining of an animal from lying down, standing up, fully extending its limbs or turning around freely.

The IFB’s livestock program director, Jim Fraley, said the organization is firmly opposed to the measure.

“There is simply no room for discussion on this one,” Fraley told Farm World. “There are scientific reasons why swine, for example, are housed in stalls during gestation. Swine are a very territorial animal, and if you put them five, six, ten or fifty pigs in a pen there’s going to be the top dog and there’s going to be the bottom dog.

“When you get animals that are gestating or pregnant, you don’t want to put stress on them. By using individualized housing, you can feed and water each one separately.

It’s a system that’s been very effective for many, many years.”
Hundreds of years of proven animal agriculture practices – and the very nature of the animals themselves – is ample proof that the measure is unnecessary and unworkable, the IFB argues.
“They talk about how a calf should be able to lay on its side with all four limbs extended, but a calf does not lay in that manner unless it is very sick, or dead,” Fraley said.

“This is a prime example of people who do not know production agriculture trying to tell production agriculture how we should manage our operations.”

The bill calls for enactment of its proposed new regulations on Jan. 1, 2010, a date the IFB feels is just as unrealistic as the legislation itself. 

“Even if the bill were to become law it would be an impossible deadline for producers to meet. It would (signal) an overnight change of management, genetics and investments in facilities – just a huge change for the industry,” said Fraley.

Currently, crate use is banned in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida and Oregon.

Tim Maiers, communications director for the IPPA, said the language of the bill could be construed to apply to farrowing stalls, as well.

“The reason producers use farrowing stalls is to protect baby piglets after they are born,” he said. “We’re not taking the bill lightly, and our producers should stay tuned. We’re watching it very closely.”
Both Illinois ag organizations were asked for their input on the bill’s contents by DeLeo and are awaiting the senator’s invitation to sit down and air their concerns; DeLeo has agreed to hold the bill until consulting with the groups. Meanwhile, the bill is in the hands of the state’s Agriculture and Conservation Committee.

“If it moves forward through the ag committee, IPPA will be issuing a call for action to our members to express their opposition to the bill,” said Maiers. “We think we have a pretty good plan in place if it does move forward.”

Fraley is encouraged that the bill is being considered by the Agriculture and Conservation Committee, to which the IFB has already made clear their feelings on SB 1337.

“I think the people on the ag committee recognize the importance of agriculture to their constituents,” Fraley said. “We have made our opinion known on this, and there is just no room for negotiation. Animal agriculture stands together on this one.”
Bill details

Ill. SB 1337 Synopsis as Introduced Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Prohibits a person from tethering or confining any covered animal, on a farm, for all or the majority of any day, in a manner that prevents the animal from (i) lying down standing up, and fully extending his or her limbs or (ii) turning around freely.
Creates exemptions from this requirement for (i) scientific or agricultural research; (ii) examination, testing, individual treatment, or operation for veterinary purposes; (iii) transportation; and (iv) rodeo exhibitions, State or county fair exhibitions, 4-H programs, and similar exhibitions.

Provides that any person who violates this requirement is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor and upon conviction must be punished by a fine not to exceed $500, or by imprisonment not to exceed 180 days, or both. (Ill. General Assembly website).