Current Press Releases

Celebrities Gather to Speak Out for Veal Calves, Signaling Growing Public Concern for Farm Animal Welfare

New York, NY- May 16, 2001 -On Sunday, May 20, 2001, Farm Sanctuary is holding a black-tie gala in New York City at The Plaza Hotel on Fifth Avenue at Central Park to benefit the organization's animal rescue and protection work. A Press Conference will be held from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. in the Ballroom Foyer at The Plaza Hotel featuring honorees, celebrity spokespeople and hosts for the evening: U.S. Representative Gary Ackerman (D-NY), Grant Aleksander, Linda Blair, Chevy Chase, Sue Coe, Mary Tyler Moore, Rue McClanahan, Peter Max, Kevin Nealon, Stefanie Powers and Ally Sheedy.

Following the press conference, the evening includes an award ceremony, entertainment, silent art auction and three-course gourmet vegan dinner (free of animal products). See schedule attached. Farm Sanctuary will present Rep. Ackerman with a Congressional Friend of Farm Animals Award and honor Mary Tyler Moore. The Gala will raise funds for a "Say No To Veal" advertising campaign in New York City which will be unveiled on May 20 at the event. This important campaign is designed to educate consumers about the cruelty of veal production, a practice considered so inhumane it has been banned in Europe.

As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Gary Ackerman has been an outstanding advocate for animals. His commitment to helping farm animals in particular, who have been ignored and even "exempt" from anti-cruelty laws, exhibits bold leadership. Since 1992 he has worked to advance the Federal Downed Animal Protection Act. Last year, a record 140 members of Congress co-sponsored the bill, and that number is anticipated to grow even more this year. In May of 2000, Rep. Ackerman introduced legislation to outlaw the inhumane confinement practices used in raising calves for veal production.

"Many other countries have banned the use of intensive confinement systems such as veal crates, battery cages for hens and gestation crates for pregnant pigs, and our goal is to accomplish the same in the United States. More and more legislators are becoming aware of these issues and realizing that their constituents are demanding humane treatment of farm animals," says Rep. Ackerman.

In a recent Zogby America poll, Americans were asked how likely they would be to eat veal knowing that calves raised for the veal market are taken from their mothers shortly after birth, put into a pen no larger than a crate so they cannot move, and fed a liquid diet designed to keep their flesh pale (causing them to be anemic). A majority of adults polled said that knowing how calves are raised for the veal market was enough to cause them to stop eating veal -- indicating a growing public concern for the humane treatment of farm animals.

"The public's view of the food animal industry is changing as people become aware of what's happening behind closed doors. Farm animals, like all animals, are sentient beings with central nervous systems that feel pain and suffering. Veal calves are confined in two-foot crates for their entire lives to minimize muscle development and keep their flesh tender. The public wants humane treatment of all animals, and intensive confinement systems are not humane," says Farm Sanctuary Campaign Director Gene Baur (formerly Bauston).

As part of the Say No To Veal campaign, Farm Sanctuary has approached over 50 of New York City's finest restaurants asking them to pledge not to serve cruel veal. Over twenty restaurants have signed the pledge so far, including Tavern on the Green, Asia de Cuba, Russian Tea Room, Babbo Ristorante, Le Grenouille, Lutuce, Park Avenue Café, The Four Seasons and Verbena.

About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.