Last week, the Supreme Court rejected a challenge from the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) that sought to invalidate California Proposition 12, which would provide extra space requirements for breeding sows. As representatives of the top pork-producing state in the country, Iowa lawmakers were disappointed in the decision, as we now have a situation where one state has the power to force industrywide changes and raise the price of pork products across the country. Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson said the ruling is even more disappointing because it supports an interstate commerce issue.
Prop 12 was originally passed due to a lack of consumer knowledge on pork production, so Hinson said she?s going to work on passing legislation to counteract it.
That legislation they?re working on is called the EATS Act. Hinson explained the EATS Act and how it will circumvent Prop 12 and protect pork producers.
Hinson said Prop 12 isn?t the only legislation that California has passed to regulate other states.
Many animal rights groups were touting the decision as a blow against ?factory farms,? but, as Hinson pointed out, this will have a much bigger effect on the average pork producer.
Hinson added that they?re hoping to introduce the EATS Act within the next couple of weeks.
For more information, visit hinson.house.gov.
