ST. PAUL, Minn. (RFD News) — Pork producers are raising concerns after the Senate farm bill failed to address Proposition 12, which was not included in the version that cleared the chamber’s ag committee on Wednesday afternoon.
Minnesota pork producer Todd Marotz warns that without federal action, differing state regulations could become a growing concern for the industry.
“It’s very important that we avoid a patchwork. All you have to do is look at the facts around what’s happened in California. Prop 12 has increased the pork price. It’s reduced demand enough that it’s affected demand nationally by reducing it by about 2%. All this has really increased input costs for producers. It’s increased consolidation, or will continue to increase consolidation, with really no improvement on animal welfare.”
Marotz is encouraging other pork producers to contact their lawmakers.
Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) also discussed California’s Proposition 12 in her interview with RFD News, saying that not providing a fix for it in the Farm Bill could negatively impact pork producers in her state.
“I actually had two pork producers from Mississippi in my office this morning telling me how important that is for them,” Hyde-Smith said.
The senator said the issue is included in the House version of the Farm Bill and that she expects an opportunity to address it as the Senate considers the legislation.
Meanwhile, U.S. pork exports remained ahead of last year from January through July, reaching more than 1.7 million metric tons. Export volume increased 2 percent from a year earlier, while value rose 1 percent.
Shipments to Japan increased 16 percent by volume, while Central America set a new record and moved ahead of Canada as the fifth-largest destination by volume.
