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When national animal rights groups succeeded in passing a ballot initiative in Florida in 2002 eliminating the use of gestation stalls for sows and crates for veal calves, they proclaimed the move would lead to similar reforms around the nation.

Sure enough, four years later, the same groups were successful in backing a similar initiative in Arizona. But recent changes in the livestock industry suggest that animal rights groups and consumers may be in agreement in this area.

Smithfield Foods, the nation's largest pork producer, announced late last month that it is phasing out gestation stalls at all of its company owned farms over the next 10 years in favor of group housing pens. The company said it will work with its contract farmers regarding the change. Smithfield said the move was in response to customer concerns about the housing system.

"We have always been sensitive to the concerns and needs of our customers, and they have told us they feel group housing is a more animal-friendly form of sow housing," said Smithfield CEO C. Larry Pope.

Shortly following Smithfield's announcement, Canada's largest pork producer made an identical move. Maple Leaf Farms said it has "studied alternative housing methods for some time and actively supports initiatives that respond to consumer opinion as well as science."

Marcho Farms, one of the nation's largest veal producers, recently stated it will no longer tether its animals and that it will allow them to commingle in group housing. The company said the change will help dispel myths about veal production.

None of the businesses said the adjustments would actually improve animal welfare, but each acknowledged the importance of consumer perception.

Regarding modern housing methods for sows, the America Veterinary Medical Association maintains "no one system is clearly better than others under all conditions and according to all criteria of animal welfare." The association says that veal calves should be able to stretch, stand and lie down comfortably.

Sandy Kuhn, executive director of the Ohio Livestock Coalition, questioned if the changes are based on actual consumer demand or if they are just a public relations move. "Will Smithfield actually sell more products or will this simply appease animal rights groups?" she asked.

Two of the nation's largest animal rights groups, Farm Sanctuary and the Humane Society of the United States, were quick to tie the change in production practices directly to their campaigns in Florida and Arizona. The human society said it is considering replicating these campaigns in other states in 2008. In a statement, Farm Sanctuary President Gene Baur indicated the group is not satisfied with simply changing livestock housing practices.

"Releasing calves from 2-foot wide crates is progress, but nothing is humane about taking a newborn calf away from his mother and shipping him off to be slaughtered after his birth," he said.

Caption: Smithfield Foods, the nation's largest pork producer, announced it will phase out gestation stalls over the next 10 years. Photo courtesy www.sxc.hu