Gestation crates should be banned

To the editor:

Soon, the onslaught of presidential hopefuls crisscrossing our state will be in full swing. I hope these politicians realize that many Iowa voters want to rein in the excesses of corporate agriculture. 'Factory farms” continue to cause enormous environmental damage and animal suffering, as well as the displacement of many small farmers.

I know many of my fellow voters of all political stripes are craving a candidate who will stand up to the factory farming lobbyists.

Gov. Chris Christie has an opportunity to do that by signing an important bill in his home State of New Jersey that would ban gestation crates.

These metal cages - so small the animals can't even turn around - are still used by many pork factory farms to confine pigs 24/7. Science and common sense tell us that these crates are both cruel and unnecessary.

Let's hope that Christie shows he is a leader of conscience by signing this bill.

John Braumann

Marion