WASHINGTON – The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) came out against the Senate Democrats’ 2024 Farm Bill text as both chambers of Congress continue to attempt to pass the legislation before 2025.

The association pointed specifically to the proposed legislation not addressing California’s Prop 12. The US Senate Agriculture Committee is currently led by chairwoman Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI.)

“Though America’s pork producers appreciate Chairwoman Stabenow’s efforts to publish Farm Bill text, this is simply not a viable bill, as it fails to provide a solution to California Prop 12,” said Lori Stevermer, president of NPPC. “Pork producers have continually spoken up about the negative impacts of this issue, and it is a shame these conversations were disregarded.”

Stabenow stated in her remarks after the drafted bill was released on Nov. 18 that her version would include $20 billion for the farm safety net to support agriculture and establish a permanent structure for disaster assistance so emergency relief reaches farmers faster.  

“The foundation of every successful Farm Bill is built on holding together the broad, bipartisan Farm Bill coalition,” she said. “This is a strong bill that invests in all of agriculture, helps families put food on the table, supports rural prosperity, and holds that coalition together.”

Senator John Boozman (R-Ark.), the current ranking member on the Senate Agriculture Committee, appeared to see Stabenow’s proposed legislation as a non-starter during this session of Congress.

“An 11th hour partisan proposal released 415 days after the expiration of the current farm bill is insulting,” Boozman stated. “America’s farmers deserve better.”

Republicans will be in charge of the House and the Senate when the new Congress begins in January. 

For much of 2024, NPPC continues to push legislators to find a solution to Prop 12, which continues to be a challenge for the pork industry in California.

The Prop 12 ballot initiative went into effect earlier this year. As a result, California consumers are experiencing limited pork supply at higher costs, according to NPPC. 

Stevermer reported earlier in September during a press call that California’s pork prices had surged by 20%. 

Even with pushes by several food trade associations to pass the Farm Bill in the last few months, many analysts expect a one-year extension with the new Congress tackling the issue in 2025.