Christie vetoes N.J. measure to ban gestation crates for pigs

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has vetoed a politically charged bill that would have banned the use of certain pig cages in the state.

The potential 2016 presidential contender called the bill a “solution in search of a problem” Friday.

Matthew Dominguez, the public policy manager for the Humane Society of the United States, had urged the governor to sign the measure into law.

“Gestation crates are not being used in the state and we want to keep it that way,” he said. “The Garden State has a proud heritage of treating animals right. They have strong animal cruelty statutes, and for this practice to remain legal gives the state and the pork producers in the state a black eye.”

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The measure would have banned pig farmers from using gestation crates, which are so small pregnant pigs can’t turn around.

The contraptions are widespread in Iowa, a state that’s home to the nation’s first presidential nominating caucuses.

Christie’s response was being watched as a gauge of his presidential ambitions.

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