November 26, 2019

US judge retains California livestock minimum space requirement measure

The North American Meat Institute was unable to block the measure, known as Proposition 12 from being enforced, reported Reuters.

Los Angeles United States District Judge Christina Snyder judge refused to block California from enforcing the voter-approved 2018 California Proposition 12, which requires US farmers to ensure adequate space for livestock raised for food purposes.

Proposition 12, self-titled the Prevention of Cruelty to Farm Animals Act, sets a minimum space requirement for calves raised for veal, breeding swine and hens reared for producing eggs, and prohibited sales of raw veal, pork and eggs from animals raised in spaces by California businesses that do not meet Proposition 12 requirements.

The North American Meat Institute had challenged the enforcement, citing increased food costs for producers and consumers, as well as a violation of the US Constitution's Commerce Clause as outstation producers must comply with the regulation or be slapped with a sales ban.

Judge Snyder said Proposition 12 shall be applied regardless of where production is location, declaring that significant argument was presented that the measure will affect interstate commerce negatively, even if the measure deprived the North American Meat Institute retail market operations that are more profitable.

Sarah Little, North American Meat Institute spokeswoman, said the group may appeal the decision.

There are 700 members in the North American Meat Institute, which include Tyson Foods, Cargill, JBS USA, Smithfield Foods, Wegmans, Walmart, Chipotle, Target and Amazon.com's Whole Foods.

-      Reuters