The National Pork Producers Council welcomed progress on the farm bill.
Still, the organization wants lawmakers to address California’s Proposition 12 and the growing patchwork of state livestock housing regulations as the legislation advances.
NPPC President Rob Brenneman says pork producers need a five-year farm bill that protects them from having to modify production practices to comply with differing state animal welfare laws.
The group argues Proposition 12 increases costs and creates uncertainty for the nation’s more than 60,000 pork producers.
NPPC also cites concerns from Illinois swine veterinarians Bill Hollis and Aaron Lower, who argue animal welfare cannot be measured solely by space requirements and warned that state-specific mandates could hinder the industry’s ability to adapt to new research and evolving best practices.
As Congress moves further into negotiations, NPPC is asking leaders to craft a solution to conflicting state livestock housing laws.
