WASHINGTON — Editor’s note: The American Farm Bureau Federation, National Pork Producers Council, and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association have issued statements concerning the U.S. Supreme Court case examining California’s Proposition 12 law. For more information concerning this issue, click here.
American Farm Bureau Federation
AFBF Presents Interstate Commerce Issue Before Supreme Court
The American Farm Bureau Federation and National Pork Producers Council presented oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court today, challenging the ability of one state to set agricultural production standards for the entire country. The case involves California’s Proposition 12 law that 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 California.
“Today’s arguments have implications not just for farmers and ranchers, but for businesses and consumers across the country,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “At the heart of this argument is whether one state can set the rules for the entire country. Proposition 12 has the potential to put small hog farmers out of business by requiring costly renovations and forces them to adopt practices that farmers and their veterinarians may find harmful to their animals.
“Farmers share California’s goal of ensuring animals are well cared for and raised in a safe environment. Unfortunately, Proposition 12’s misguided approach will ultimately cost every family through higher food prices.”
Read the Supreme Court brief here.
National Pork Producers Council
NPPC Statement on U.S. Supreme Court Oral Arguments on California Proposition 12
“This is a historic day for American farmers. National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) 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,” stated the National Pork Producers Council. “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.”
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
NCBA Joins NPPC in Defending Interstate Commerce for Livestock Producers
Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) reaffirmed support for the National Pork Producer’s Council (NPPC) following Supreme Court oral arguments in the case NPPC v. Ross.
“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,” said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “NCBA strongly supports economic freedom for all livestock producers to sell their high-quality protein from coast to coast and we join NPPC in urging the Supreme Court to reject unconstitutional mandates on agricultural production.”
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. Opening the door to state-level mandates creates a patchwork of rules that unreasonably restricts cattle producers’ ability to conduct business across state lines.