What Happened:
With Congress on recess and lawmakers focused on re-election campaigns, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is keeping the pressure on Capitol Hill to address the negative impacts of California’s Proposition 12 on the U.S. pork industry.
NPPC recently conducted a poll showing that three-quarters of voters are concerned about rising food costs, and a majority believe that Congress, not individual states, should be responsible for setting farm standards that affect the entire country. The poll also revealed strong support for Congress to take action on this issue, particularly in key battleground states like Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
On Tuesday, NPPC launched an advertising campaign highlighting the economic and production challenges resulting from California’s 2018 ballot initiative, which bans the sale of pork in California if the sows that produced it were raised in housing that does not meet the state’s specific standards.
The ads introduce “Cindy,” a food truck owner who has been serving pork barbeque sourced from the “Perkins Family Pig Farm” for over a decade. Due to Prop. 12, Cindy is forced to raise her prices until she can no longer sustain her business, and the Perkins Pig Farm eventually faces foreclosure. The ad illustrates how the consequences of Prop. 12 could become a harsh reality for many across the country.
NPPC’s Position:
NPPC has been lobbying congressional lawmakers to address Prop. 12 by including a provision in the next farm bill. The House Agriculture Committee has already included such a provision, but it still requires approval from the full House, while the Senate has yet to take action on its version of the farm bill.
Why It Matters:
Since Prop. 12 went into effect on January 1, pork prices across California have risen, as confirmed by data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It has also increased production costs for pork producers nationwide, impacting both consumers and the industry as a whole.
NPPC Continues Push for Proposition 12 Fix as Farm Bill Lapses
What Happened:
The 2018 Farm Bill expired on September 30, and a new bill will not be considered until after the November 5 elections. While some programs from the 2018 agricultural blueprint, extended in September 2023, have lapsed with the end of the 2024 fiscal year, others will continue through the end of the calendar year.
NPPC’s Position:
NPPC expressed disappointment that Congress recessed without passing a new farm bill. Merely extending the current bill will not address the pressing economic challenges faced by farmers and rural communities. Pork producers need a new farm bill to ensure that rural America receives the support it needs, including a solution to California Prop. 12.
Why It Matters:
The farm bill, which is updated every five years, sets policies for farm, conservation, forestry, and nutrition, and authorizes programs for foreign animal disease preparedness and export promotion. Passing a new farm bill is crucial for providing pork producers and rural communities with the resources needed to overcome current challenges and thrive.
