Farm organizations across the nation were surprised by the U-S Supreme Court’s decision to rule in favor of California’s Proposition 12 which calls for breeding sows to have additional space in order for pork to be sold in California. The National Pork Producers Council along with the American Farm Bureau Federation challenged the California law saying it violated commerce trade laws. Trish Cook is the president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association, and says her immediate reaction to the decision was of disbelief.
Cook says the ruling may set a precedent for other states to approve costly regulations on the pork industry and other livestock operations.
The Iowa pork producers president believes the supreme court ruling will lead to higher food prices for consumers.
Cook says California consumers eat 13 percent of the nation’s pork supply, while they produce less than one percent of the pig population. She says the California consumer may find it difficult to get pork.
Both Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley of Iowa, along with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig issued statements condemning the U-S Supreme Court’s decision.
