Many pork producers in the US have already pledged to stop using the crates in their supply chains, however, the Massachusetts’ bill would make it illegal to keep pigs, hens and calves in small cages.
According to the State, the H 458 bill will ban the use of the crates in favour of “minimum humane standards” for livestock bred for meat as well as laying hens.
There are currently nine other states with a ban on the gestation crates in the US, with Rhode Island passing a similar legislation. The state of New Jersey is also working on a bill to ban the use of gestation crates.