Newly passed California law squeezes ‘lots of costs’ out of mom-and-pop pork producers
foxbusiness.comFOX Business' Jeff Flock reports from Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, where pork producers are warning one regulation may cause nationwide pork price surges.
Newly passed blue state legislation has pork producers snorting over industry oversight which could shutter farm doors and add to food inflation.
«The issue is really around the cost associated with Proposition 12, and how producers across Pennsylvania and the country are going to be able to come compliant to meet the demands of the consumers in California,» Pennsylvania Pork Producers President Ben Barcovtch told FOX Business’ Jeff Flock on "Mornings with Maria" Monday.
California’s Proposition 12 could cost pork producers and consumers up to $350 million over its animal welfare law. Back in May, the Supreme Court ruled that the Democrat-led state has the right to impose tough animal-welfare standards on pork produced outside the state.
Proposition 12 specifically bans the sale of pork products unless the animal from which it derived was housed with specific space allowances. According to the bill text, each animal must have at least 24 square feet and the ability to «lie down, stand up, fully extend limbs and turn around freely.»
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But according to producers like Barcovtch, the regulations could force smaller operations to close their barn doors.
U.S. pork producers may lose $40 to $50 per pig as a result of a new California law, Pennsylvania Pork Producers President Ben Barcovtch said on «Mornings with Maria» Monday, August 7, 2023. (Getty Images)
«There's lots of cost associated behind being able to become compliant,» he said. «Right now, farmers are facing
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