Center for the Environment & Welfare: Review of Letter Claiming ‘Farmer Support’ for Prop 12 Misleads Public

Jack Hubbard, with the Center for the Environment and Welfare, shares context and perspective on the controversial letter about Prop 12 circulating in Washington and how a review shows it misled the public.

ARLINGTON, Va. (RFD NEWS) — A letter circulating on Capitol Hill is raising questions about how California’s Proposition 12, which regulates poultry products sold within the state, is being presented to lawmakers and the public. The letter presents what it describes as farmer support for Proposition 12. However, a new review indicates that many of the signatures are not from pork or egg producers, and some signers have no direct connection to animal agriculture.

Jack Hubbard with the Center for the Environment and Welfare joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to discuss how the letter originated and what was found during the review process. Hubbard explained the analysis’s findings and addressed concerns about how such information can influence policy discussions.

In his interview with RFD NEWS, Hubbard discussed Prop 12’s impact on the poultry sector, based on what producers have shared with the organization, and outlined how misinformation can create broader ripple effects. He also spoke about the path forward for addressing the controversial regulation at both the state and federal levels.

Hubbard concluded by offering guidance for farmers and ranchers on how to address misinformation, noting increased activity and evolving strategies from animal rights groups.

Related Stories
Lewie Pugh with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) discusses the gap in truck driver education programs and how it impacts road safety and supply chain economics.
$11 billion will go to row-crop farmers immediately, with $1 billion set aside for specialty crops.
Cattle imports from Mexico remain stalled amid the New World screwworm outbreak. At the same time, Tyson closures add pressure on Nebraska producers and markets ahead of the USDA’s upcoming Cattle on Feed Report.
Georgia has regained its HPAI-free status after a swift response to October’s detection. Commissioner Tyler Harper urges producers to stay vigilant and maintain biosecurity.
USTR Jamieson Greer signals a narrower trade deal with China, adding more market uncertainty. The Farm Bureau also supports reviewing China’s missed trade commitments under the Phase One.
Water access—not acreage alone—is driving where irrigation expands or contracts.
Reed Marcum started hosting a toy drive in 2015. Since then, he has distributed thousands of toys across his home state of Oklahoma and in Texas and Arkansas. Now serving in the Army, Reed’s family and local 4-H chapter are running the event.
American soybean and corn leaders, along with Canada’s AgriFood sector, testified before the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office in support of the trade pact between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD-TV and The Cowboy Channel. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, adding a decade of experience in the digital side of broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

New World Screwworm cases in Mexico, including one within 200 miles of the U.S. border, are adding pressure to livestock markets and trade decisions.
Dr. Seth Meyer Concludes Service; Dr. Justin Benavidez Appointed USDA Chief Economist
USDA data indicates that 13.7 percent of U.S. households experienced food insecurity in 2024, the highest rate since 2014, even as most households remained food secure.
Weather, Tight Supplies, and Planning Shape Farm Decisions
Cotton demand depends on demonstrating performance and reliability buyers can rely on, not messaging alone.
Read the full press release published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.