WESTMINSTER, COLO. — Niman Ranch announced it is 100% audited, compliant and ready for implementation with fresh pork under California’s Proposition 12 and Massachusetts’ Question 3.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, fresh pork sold in California and Massachusetts must be sourced from hogs raised without gestation crates as the two states’ historic animal welfare laws will be fully implemented and enforceable.

“For too long, the industry has been hyper focused on efficiency and producing large amounts of cheap meat, while losing sight of the bigger picture,” said Chris Oliviero, general manager of Niman Ranch. “Prop 12 is the right thing for both the animals and farmers, but it needs to be done in a structured manner where pork producers have support and dedicated markets. With full implementation of Prop 12 and Question 3 in the new year, there is market certainty and a clear path forward for the industry.”

Niman Ranch consists of over 600 independent family producers who raise pork, beef and lamb under the Certified Humane standards.

Although each law initially passed several years ago — Q3 in 2016 and Prop 12 in 2018 — the animal confinement laws have not been enforced.

The Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act was introduced in June 2023 in an effort to challenge the laws.

While Niman Ranch said “the overreaching EATS Act would stifle innovation and penalize farmers who have invested in Prop 12 compliance,” other stakeholders like the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) have voiced support for the legislation.