An animal welfare regulation in California has led to fears of a pork shortage throughout the state, as pork producers sue to delay its implementation.
Proposition 12, which voters passed in 2018 by a 2 to 1 margin, “creates new minimum requirements on farmers to provide more space for egg-laying hens, breeding pigs, and calves raised for veal.” Under current law, animals raised for food must have enough space to “turn around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs.” Under Proposition 12, beginning in 2022, egg-laying hens must be cage-free, veal calves must have 43 square feet of room in their pens, and breeding pigs must have 24 square feet of room in their pens.
The new regulation “also makes it illegal for businesses in California to knowingly sell eggs (including liquid eggs) or uncooked pork or veal that came from animals housed in ways that do not meet the measure’s requirements. This sales ban applies to products from animals raised in California or out-of-state.” It also requires the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the Department of Public Health to write the specific requirements needed to implement the rule.
