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Ag Groups Argue Against Proposition 12 in Supreme Court

Dan American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), Beef, Cattle, Legislative, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), Regulation

Agriculture groups argued against California’s Proposition 12 to the Supreme Court last week. The American Farm Bureau Federation and National Pork Producers Council challenged the ability of one state to set agricultural production standards for the entire country. California’s Proposition 12 law bans the sale of pork from hogs that don’t meet the state’s arbitrary production standards, even if the hogs were raised outside of that state.

Afterwards, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) released a statement, saying:

“This is a historic day for American farmers. National Pork Producers Council and American Farm Bureau Federation presented oral arguments on NPPC v. Ross before the U.S. Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of California Proposition 12. As we’ve contended since 2018, one state should not be able to regulate commerce in another state and set arbitrary standards that lack any scientific, technical, or agricultural basis. NPPC presented a strong case and is confident in its arguments presented to the Supreme Court Justices. We appreciate the support of the Biden Administration and look forward to the Court’s decision.”

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) also supports AFBF and NPPC. NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane said, “While this case is not focused on cattle producers, the precedent set by the court will determine all producers’ ability to engage in interstate commerce.”

Earlier this year, NCBA filed an amicus brief before the court arguing that California’s mandates on livestock production methods violated the dormant commerce clause of the Constitution.