The National Pork Producers Council is focusing on the passage of Farm Bill 2.0 to address some of the pork industry’s concerns. We caught up with Todd Marotz with the National Pork Producers Council to learn how the bill would benefit the pork industry.
“We’re looking forward to a farm bill to get across the finish line and to make sure that Prop 12, a fix to Prop 12 is included within that. And really it’s about avoiding a patchwork of states individually coming up with rules on how livestock is raised. And it’s not just about pork production, it’s about agriculture as a whole. If they can put restrictions on livestock, and pigs in particular, they can put restrictions on just about anything,” said Marotz.
Additionally, the NPPC, in conjunction with the American Farm Bureau Federation, led a coalition letter to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries pointing to the issues created by California’s Proposition 12.
The letter states, “According to studies by North Carolina State University and Iowa State University economists, constructing new, Proposition 12-compliant barns can cost 25-40% more per sow than other housing styles, not including the estimated 15% higher operating costs per pig caused by reduced productivity. Not only is the financial burden of Proposition 12 being felt by pork producers, but consumers are now facing much higher prices for covered pork products. A recent report by economists at North Dakota State University found that since Proposition 12 was implemented, prices for covered products in California have increased nearly 20% on average, with pork loins still sitting 30% higher due to Proposition 12. The same study found that California consumers have spent an additional $350 million on pork products while their pork consumption levels have declined 16% due to Proposition 12.”
Over 400 agricultural groups, Ag Commissioners and County Agricultural organizations signed onto the letter ahead of the expected vote by the U.S. House of Representatives later this week.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.