Great news from America: A ground-breaking agreement has been reached in the US state of Ohio that will see the phasing out of veal crates for calves, an end to confinement stalls for pregnant pigs as well as other key measures to protect farmed and other animals.

What the agreement means

The State Governor of Ohio, the Farm Bureau and The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) have agreed on the following landmark advances in Ohio:

A ban on cruel veal crates for calves by 2017
A ban on new confinement stalls for pregnant pigs in the state after Dec. 31, 2010. Existing facilities must cease using sow stalls within 15 years
A moratorium on permits for new battery cage confinement facilities for laying hens
A ban on strangulation of farm animals and mandatory humane euthanasia methods for sick or injured animals
A ban on the transport of sick and injured cows, known as 'downer' cows, for slaughter
Enactment of legislation establishing penalties for cock fighters
Enactment of legislation cracking down on puppy mills
Enactment of a ban on the acquisition of dangerous exotic animals as pets, such as primates, bears, lions, tigers, large constricting and venomous snakes, crocodiles and alligators.

Humane Society of the United States congratulated

Philip Lymbery Chief Executive of Compassion in World Farming said, "Huge congratulations to our friends at HSUS for achieving these monumental reforms for farm animals! This is a major victory that will surely quicken the trend against farming practices that cause such suffering to farm animals. And thank you to those supporters who were able to respond to the call to support this initiative."

He added, "Farm animals in Ohio and the world over will benefit from this reform. Compassion sends a huge vote of thanks and congratulation, particularly to Wayne Pacelle and his dedicated team at HSUS for making it happen."

Find out more about the worldwide campaign to stop factory farming >

Ohio agrees reforms for farm animals