April 23, 2026

 

US pork producers in Capitol Hill to oppose California Proposition 12

 

Equipped with new retail and USDA data reinforcing California Proposition 12's detrimental impacts on both producers and consumers, 105 US pork producers from 23 US states took to Capitol Hill, advocating for their livelihoods with federal lawmakers.

 

Researchers at the North Dakota State University Agricultural Risk Policy Center found that Prop 12-driven price increases have persisted, even two years after the law was fully implemented. On average, prices for covered products are 20% higher due to Prop 12, calculated by comparing price increases in California to the rest of the United States. Specifically, Prop 12 has driven prices for pork loins up 32%, ribs up 22%, shoulders up 16% and bacon up 16%, according to the latest data.

 

Furthermore, California consumers have paid US$350 million more for pork products while their consumption of pork has significantly declined due to Prop. 12. As food affordability worsens, Prop. 12 continues to create uncertainty on the farm and is driving an untenable state-by-state patchwork of animal housing laws.

 

The National Pork Producers Council applauds the bipartisan Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (commonly referred to as the Farm Bill 2.0) which gives assurances to family farms across the country by not allowing one state to determine farming practices for producers outside its state's borders.

 

"We're all singing from the same songbook – real pork producers of all sizes," said NPPC President Rob Brenneman, a pork producer from Washington, Iowa. "We need relief from a patchwork of state animal housing laws, which will surely be the nail in the coffin for a number of farms across the country.

 

"The mission is clear: We need Congress to exercise their authority and fix Prop 12."

 

A coalition of millions of agricultural producers and members has called on Congress to stop one state from forcing its laws on agricultural producers across the country.

 

Veterinarians are also opposed to Prop 12. The American Veterinary Medical Association said Prop 12 does "not objectively improve animal welfare and may unintentionally cause harm."

 

NPPC and the 60,000-plus farms it represents will continue leading the charge for producers to run their businesses free from out-of-state regulations.

- National Pork Producers Council