US: The challenge of animal confinement enforcement commences in three states

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United States

Regulation & Compliances

Published Mar 23, 2024

Tridge summary

The enforcement phase of animal confinement laws, Proposition 12 in California and Question 3 in Massachusetts, is beginning, requiring breeding pigs to have a minimum of 24 square feet of usable floor space. The laws apply to all uncooked whole pork meat and could disrupt the supply chain, especially in New England. Legal challenges are ongoing, and similar legislation has been adopted in New Jersey. Meanwhile, US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has expressed concerns about the political feasibility of such regulations, linking them to increased animal mortality due to overcrowding and fighting.

Disclaimer: The above summary was generated by a state-of-the-art LLM model and is intended for informational purposes only. It is recommended that readers refer to the original article for more context.

Original content

The animal confinement laws (Proposition 12, Calif. /Question 3, Mass.) impacting fresh pork sold in California and Massachusetts are entering the enforcement phase. Under the regulations, breeding pigs must have a minimum of 24 square feet of usable floor space per animal. Proposition 12 applies to any uncooked whole pork meat, whether it is raised in the state or elsewhere. One of the concerns with Question 3 is that Massachusetts wants to impose those restrictions on any pork transiting through the state, which would cut off supply to most of New England. There are court cases challenging this position, which will continue. According to NPPC, an estimated $2 billion worth of pork moves through Massachusetts into neighboring New England states. Complex supply chain issues will negatively impact states neighboring California as well. The state of California consumes 15% of the fresh pork in the US. Under Massachusetts’ Question 3 guidelines, pork can enter Massachusetts and pass ...

Source: Provisioner