Chris Christie has vetoed a bill that called for restrictive pig cages to be banned in the state, a move seen by many as a gauge of his presidential ambitions

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

New Jersey Republican governor 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” on Friday.

The bill would have banned pig farmers from using gestation crates, which are so small that they prevent pregnant pigs from turning around.

While the contraptions are rarely used on New Jersey’s 300 pig farms, they are widespread in states like Iowa.

Many farmers are opposed to the idea of the government telling them how to raise their livestock.

Animal rights advocates say the practice is cruel.

Christie’s response to the bill is seen as a gauge of his presidential ambitions.