New farm animal welfare law passes in Michigan

Lansing, Mich.

-- Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm today signed a new animal-welfare law mandating pen sizes for veal calves, egg-laying hens and pregnant sows.

HB 5127 mandates agricultural housing standards to allow these animals to lie down, stand up and turn around freely. The legislation was crafted in collaboration with the Humane Society of the United States.

The new law exempts research, veterinary treatment, transportation, at rodeos and state fairs, and during slaughter. In the case of pregnant sows, the housing requirements apply up to seven days before expected birth.

Michigan farmers will have three years to comply with the veal-calf restrictions and 10 years to comply with the rules for pregnant sows and egg-laying hens.