November 20, 2024

US pork producers' express disappointment over farm bill exclusion of Proposition 12 solution

US pork producers have expressed dissatisfaction with the 2024 farm bill text unveiled by Debbie Stabenow (United States senator from Michigan), chairwoman of the US Senate Agriculture Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), representing pork producers nationwide, issued a statement highlighting their concerns.

Lori Stevermer, NPPC president and a pork producer from Easton, Minnessota, stated, "Though America's pork producers appreciate Chairwoman Stabenow's efforts to publish farm bill text, this is simply not a viable bill, as it fails to provide a solution to California Proposition 12. Pork producers have continually spoken up about the negative impacts of this issue, and it is a shame these conversations were disregarded."

California Proposition 12 imposes specific housing standards on the pork industry, which producers argue create uncertainty and challenge their ability to maintain operations for future generations.

The NPPC noted that in May 2024, they successfully secured 100% of pork producers' priorities in the bipartisan farm bill passed by the House Agriculture Committee.

In June, pork producers also achieved alignment on all policy priorities in the Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozman's version of the 2024 farm bill framework.

Despite these efforts, the final text of the farm bill released by Chairwoman Stabenow excluded a resolution to Proposition 12.

The NPPC is urging both chambers of Congress to consider and pass a comprehensive farm bill this year that addresses the challenges posed by Proposition 12. They emphasised the importance of such measures in providing stability and certainty for pork producers as they work to sustain their operations into the next generation.

-      Farm Journal's Pork