The Supreme Court decision upholding California’s Prop 12 continues to draw strong reactions from America’s agricultural stakeholders.
Kansas Republican Senator Roger Marshall says he’s disappointed in the Court’s decision not to strike down Prop 12. “We can’t allow radical state laws to dictate the agricultural practices in every other state,” Marshall says. “This will only increase food costs for people already suffering from food insecurity and drive farmers and ranchers out of business.”
Marshall plans to re-introduce his Exposing Agricultural Trade Suppression Act which will prohibit state and local governments from interfering with agricultural production in other states.
Iowa’s Ag Secretary Mike Naig says this decision opens the door for the largest states to dictate laws and regulations to the rest of America. “While the ruling was focused on agriculture, it will certainly creep into other industries,” he says. “It will drive the cost of production and food prices higher.”
MAY 12, 2023:
The National Pork Producers Council reacted negatively to the Supreme Court’s decision on California’s Prop 12. “We are very disappointed with the Supreme Court’s opinion,” says Scott Hays, NPPC president. “Allowing state overreach will increase prices for consumers and drive small farms out of business, leading to more consolidation.” NPPC is still evaluating the Court’s full opinion to fully understand all the implications. “We will continue fighting for our pork farmers and American families against misguided regulations,” Hays adds.
Kitty Block, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the U.S., says she’s “delighted” that the Supreme Court upheld California’s Prop 12. “It’s the nation’s strongest farm animal welfare law, and the Court made clear that preventing animal cruelty and protecting public health are core functions of our state governments,” she says. Also, HS-USA “won’t stop fighting until the pork industry stops confining sows in cages so small they can’t turn around.”
MAY 11, 2023:
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has backed (May 11, 2023) a California animal cruelty law that requires more space for breeding pigs. The pork industry says that’ll mean higher costs nationwide for pork chops and bacon. Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in an opinion for the court that “while the Constitution addresses many weighty issues, the type of pork chops California merchants may sell is not on that list.” The pork industry has said the law will force expensive, industry-wide changes even though a majority of the farms where pigs are raised are not in the nation’s most populous state. But the Supreme Court agreed that lower courts had correctly dismissed the challenge to the law.
Source: drgnews.com
Photo Credit: GettyImages-Pattanaphong Khuankaew
Categories: Kansas, Government & Policy