Yesterday, the Senate Farm Bill failed to pass out of the Senate Ag Committee after Democrats rejected the Republican proposal in a narrow 10-11 vote. Now, the Farm Bill- and all of its attached legislation- does not have a clear path forward. However, groups like the National Pork Producers Council are still adamant that the eventual farm bill must contain legislation to address California Proposition 12. Iowa Pork Producers Association President Dean Frazer, who runs a farrow-to-finish operation near Conrad, Iowa, said he’s glad consumers are asking questions about how the meat they purchase is raised.
Frazer said that, in his 40 years of experience raising pigs, he has seen the negative effects of group housing, which led him to convert to gestation crates. However, he still wants producers to have the choice between using gestation crates or group housing.
Frazer said a study from well-known swine company Pipestone indicated that any housing method can work with the right animal husbandry, but there are notable downsides to Prop 12 compliant group housing.
Frazer also disputed claims that small farmers would benefit from Prop 12- in fact, he said many older swine producers would likely sell out of the business to avoid taking on the financial burden to become compliant.
Some Prop 12 compliant producers have reported premium prices for their pigs, but Frazer said those premiums won’t last if every producer is forced to switch.
Frazer added that those premium markets should persist if consumers want crate-free pork. However, lower-income families still deserve to have the opportunity to purchase more affordable pork products.
For more information, visit iowapork.org.
