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Ag industry expresses Prop 12 frustrations

Members of the ag industry are expressing disappointment in response to the US Supreme Court’s decision to uphold California’s Proposition 12.

Nebraska Farm Bureau President Mark McHargue says the ruling could impact profitability for pork producers.

“If we have to retrofit our barns to fit to sell into California, or if we choose not to sell to California, that’s going to probably have some excess supply that we’re going to deal with,” he said. “And it seems like that would put some pressure on the pork prices.”

Approved by California voters in 2018, the measure bans sales of pork, veal, and eggs from animals whose confinement does not meet minimum space requirements.

U.S. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, a Republican from Iowa, tells Brownfield she plans to reintroduce the EATS Act in response to the ban. “My bill would prohibit state local governments from interfering with the production or manufacturer of agriculture products in other states.”

Proposition 12 becomes law on July 1 and the National Pork Producers Council says it’s considering all options before the legislation goes into effect.

Brownfield’s Kellan Heavican and Meghan Grebner contributed to this story.