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
Agronomy experts explain why standing crop residue protects soil and reduces costs for crop growers, while shredding often yields little benefit at higher costs.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller today unveiled a bold plan to protect the nation’s prime farm and ranchland from the rapid spread of data centers.
Secretary Rollins also met with specialty crop producers at a local strawberry farm to discuss workforce needs and the Trump Administration’s recent wins related to significantly cutting the cost of H-2A labor for California farmers.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said permanent access to the higher ethanol blend would provide farmers with much-needed certainty while supporting domestic crop demand.
Structural efficiency supports cattle prices and resilience — breaking it risks higher costs and greater volatility.
Rising adoption of GLP-1 drugs may gradually reshape food demand, with potential downstream effects on protein markets and consumer purchasing patterns.
Leadership development and bipartisan engagement remain central to advancing agriculture’s priorities in 2026.
How the Public Trust Doctrine Threatens Agricultural Property Rights
Protein markets are fragmenting. Beef is supply-driven and more structurally expensive, whereas pork and poultry remain price-competitive.

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:

Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller joined us to discuss data center expansion, farmland preservation, rural economic impacts, and imminent cattle biosecurity concerns affecting agriculture today.
The Pennsylvania Farm Show continues through Saturday, wrapping up another successful year of celebrating agriculture in the Commonwealth.
Shaun Haney joined us to discuss Canada’s new trade agreement with China, the potential impact on farmers and exporters, and what it could mean for U.S.–Canada trade relations going forward.
National Corn Growers Association Chief Economist Krista Swanson discusses corn supply pressures, market fundamentals, policy considerations, and producer outlook for the year ahead.
The proposal signals a renewed push to offset tariff-driven losses, stabilize nutrition programs, and broaden eligibility for farm aid, though its path forward will depend on congressional negotiations.
The application deadline is March 8, 2026. The 1890 National Scholars Program aims to encourage students at 1890 land-grant universities to pursue careers in food, agriculture, and natural resource sciences.