CA Proposition 12 and The Farm Bill

California's Proposition 12 has sparked controversy since its implementation, with producers and industry professionals now examining how its language aligns with the Farm Bill. National Pork Producers Council Board President, Lori Stevermer shares her insights on this ongoing debate.

"This case went to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court agreed that the prop 12 was a problem. They just said it was Congress's problem to fix, not there. So that's why we're seeing it in the Farm Bill. That's our vehicle to get that solution achieved. So the House, Ag Bill has wording in there which would create a federal preemption for basically, you know, inspected meat. So it states that that no state can put, you know, restrictions on on other states. So you can have guidelines and restrictions for your own state and own pork production, which we fully advocate for, approval of but for one state to tell another state, ie California, telling Minnesota how it should raise pigs that would not be possible with the language it's in in the House version of the Farm Bill.”

Once again, that was National Pork Producers Council Board President Lori Stevermer."

Proposition 12 was passed by California voters in 2018 it established new minimum requirements of farmers to provide more space for egg-laying hens breeding pigs, and calves raised for veal.