WASHINGTON — The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) recently worked on a bipartisan roundtable discussion going over the early effects of California’s Prop 12 and Massachusetts Question 3.

The trade association was invited by Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pa.), chairman of the House Agriculture Committee to discuss the economic and on-farm impact the measures are having on the pork industry.

NPPC board member Bob Ivey, a producer from Goldsboro, NC, and economist Holly Cook presented to members of Congress on how the measures have prohibited the sale of pork in California and Massachusetts.

“Chairman Thompson has repeatedly said he will include language in the committee’s Farm Bill that would fix Prop. 12 and Question 3, pre-empting the measures by prohibiting states and localities from regulating the means and methods of agricultural production outside their borders,” NPPC said in a recent update.

Recent analysis from the USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist showed that Prop 12 already raised pork prices for California consumers and decreased pork sales volumes in the state. According to the NPPC update, pork loins, ribs and bellies saw an average of 20% price increase since July 1, 2023, when Prop 12 implement partially started.   

“For most pork producers, complying with these measures means costly renovations or new construction, adding to the financial strain after significant losses in 2023,” NPPC stated. “Additionally, allowing these laws to stand could pave the way for similar regulations in other states, leading to a fragmented regulatory landscape nationwide.”