Proposition 12, the Farm Animal Confinement Initiative, was approved by California voters in November 2018. It prohibits the sale of pork, veal, and eggs from animals that are confined in spaces that do not meet certain minimum standards for space, freedom of movement, and environmental enrichment.
The US Supreme Court has now upheld Proposition 12, rejecting a challenge from the pork industry. The court ruled that the law does not violate the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The law is expected to have a significant impact on the pork, veal, and egg industries. It is estimated that the law could raise the cost of pork by up to 15% and some Iowa producers will no longer be able to sell pork to California.
Pig farmer Trish Cook joins Jeff to discuss the very real...and very negative...consequences of the ruling.