US: Vilsack, Boozman discuss Farm Bill prospects, Prop 12 impacts

US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Senator John Boozman met with 120 pork producers at the National Pork Producers Council’s (NPPC) Fall Legislative Action Conference, discussing prospects for a 2024 Farm Bill and a federal solution to California’s Proposition 12, according to a recent press release. The Prop. 12 ballot initiative, which went into effect earlier this year, imposes serious financial burdens on pork producers, raises food prices on consumers, and sets a dangerous precedent enabling each state to develop differing regulations on out-of-state producers. Due to Prop. 12, Californians are experiencing less pork and higher costs. Vilsack also acknowledged that pork producers don’t have the luxury of deciding which state(s) to market their products. Prop. 12 inflicts construction costs for producers up to $4,000 per sow and has already caused a 20% surge in California’s pork prices. USDA economists also found that the volume of pork sales in California has declined ...