By Jamie Martin
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President Lori Stevermer addressed the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee about the effects of California’s Proposition 12. She warned that the law threatens U.S. pork farmers by increasing costs and limiting market access.
Prop 12 mandates specific housing standards for pigs, making pork production more expensive and unpredictable. “We must fix the problems caused by Prop. 12, which has increased farmers' operating costs, created business uncertainty, and raised pork prices at the grocery store,” said Stevermer.
The law also causes inconsistencies—uncooked pork from non-compliant farms cannot be sold in California, but pre-cooked pork from the same sources remains legal. The requirement for external audits adds financial and operational burdens, making it harder for small farmers to stay in business.
Stevermer also discussed other challenges facing pork producers, including the risk of foreign animal diseases, trade restrictions, and the need for year-round H-2A visas to support farm labour.
Despite these issues, the U.S. pork industry remains strong. In 2023, over 149 million hogs were marketed, generating $27 billion and supporting 573,000 jobs.
Click Here to read Stevermer’s full testimony.
Photo Credit: national-pork-producers-council
Categories: National