Illinois pork farmers are facing significant challenges due to California’s Proposition 12, which went into effect in 2023. The law mandates that pregnant pigs must have at least 24 square feet of space per animal and prohibits the sale of pork products in California that don’t meet these standards, regardless of where they were produced.
Jennifer Tirey, executive director of the Illinois Pork Producers Association, explained that the regulation has hurt Midwest farmers, many of whom lack the resources to remodel their farms to meet California’s stringent requirements.
“We’re seeing a lot of strain on local pork producers because they don’t have the budgets to retrofit their operations,” Tirey said.
In response, Illinois pork producers are advocating for the inclusion of language in the upcoming national farm bill that would curb California’s ability to impose its regulations on farmers outside the state.
“It says that California cannot regulate how other states raise their animals,” Tirey said. “They can make decisions within their state, but they shouldn’t dictate farming practices in Illinois.”
The Illinois Pork Producers Association is urging farmers to contact members of Congress to support the proposed provisions in the farm bill.
“We’re working hard to rally support from Illinois legislators to address this issue,” Tirey said. “While the chances are slim, there’s still an opportunity to push for this change.”
Despite current challenges, Tirey noted that the pork industry is holding steady, with a break-even outlook for 2024 and a more optimistic forecast for 2025.
This issue highlights the ongoing tension between state-specific agricultural policies and their broader national impact, as farmers and lawmakers seek solutions to balance regional regulations with federal oversight.
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