DES MOINES, IOWA — Several Republican governors signed a letter urging Congress to block California’s Proposition 12 animal confinement law.

Last month, the US Supreme Court ruled against the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and the American Farm Bureau Federation who challenged the measure. 

“Despite California’s reliance on its fellow states for food, Proposition 12 threatens to disrupt the very system Californians depend on for their pork supply,” the letter stated. “Its strict, activist-drafted requirements for pig farming sharply depart from the practices which are lawful in our states.” 

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen joined other governors supporting the letter.

“California’s onerous requirements will pass the buck to American consumers – worsening the inflationary crisis gripping our economy,” Reynolds said. “Iowa’s pork producers use science-based techniques to help feed America and the world, and California’s activist-drafted requirements will have a dramatic negative impact on those facing food insecurity. It’s time for Congress to use their power and allow pork producers around the country to do what they do best.” 

The statement released by Reynolds and Pillen said the two states produce 54% of US pork. 

The Prop 12 ballot initiative was approved by California voters in 2018 and barred the sales of eggs or raw pork or veal sourced from animals housed in ways that do not meet California’s minimum standards.

Under Prop 12, producers of veal calves are required to house animals with at least 43 square feet of usable floor space per calf. Producers of sows are required to provide a minimum of 24 square feet of usable space per animal to comply with the law and laying hens are required to be raised cage-free.

Other state governors who signed this letter include Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, Missouri Governor Mike Parson, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin.