The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) says there are more than 1,250 agricultural producers and distributors that are currently in compliance with Proposition 12.
California’s controversial state law took effect on Monday, Jan. 1 after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the state in National Pork Producers Council v. Ross in May 2023.
The law bans the sale of pork in California from the offspring of sows kept in pens that do not meet its prescribed dimensions of 24 square feet per sow, even if the hogs were raised outside the state.
The Biden administration sided with the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) on the case, testifying that they believe states should not be able to ban products that pose no threat to public health or safety due to philosophical objections.
Scott Hays, President of the NPPC, says he and his organization will continue to lobby lawmakers in Washington, D.C. to pass federal legislation to override California’s Prop 12.
“Keep in mind, the Supreme Court agreed that this is a problem, and it’s a real problem. They just didn’t think it was their problem. We still have hope that we can get Congress to see this as a real problem and get it fixed. As far as a watch out for other industries. I think this opens up the door for about anything. If any state says we don’t like the way another state’s doing something, they have the right to regulate it now,” says Hays.