Democratic senators are urging ag lawmakers to halt efforts to include a measure that would effectively overturn Prop 12 in the next Farm Bill. In a letter, 32 senators, led by California Sen. Adam Schiff, claim Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst’s legislation will open the floodgates to unnecessary litigation — also noting that similar attempts have failed in previous Farm Bills.
The Food Security and Farm Protection Act, introduced by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), would prevent local and state governments from interfering with the production and distribution of agricultural products across state lines. This would effectively overturn state laws like Prop-12, which places strict housing requirements on livestock.
Lawmakers from the opposing perspective, such as Ernst’s counterpart, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), have made their stance clear, stating that they see an end to Prop-12.
“I’m optimistic we’re going to try to get it in the Farm Bill, and I think we should get it in the Farm Bill, and we can’t have now, not only California, but you’ve got movement, Massachusetts, do something similar,” Sen. Grassley said on a weekly call with media. “Theoretically, you could end up with 50 different laws. And Congress has the right under the Constitution to control interstate and foreign commerce. So, it’s a federal issue.”
Grassley said he is surprised the Supreme Court has not yet intervened, alluding to the Court’s opinion that it was acceptable for California to act, since Congress hasn’t. Grassley says Prop-12 is a real problem for small pork producers in his state.
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.
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