NEFB
LINCOLN, NEB. – Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) is urging Nebraska’s congressional delegation to support a legislative fix to California’s Proposition 12 before the end of 2023. Nebraska Farm Bureau’s Board of Directors recently sent a letter to all members of the delegation outlining the critical need to address Proposition 12.
“California’s Proposition 12 effectively lets voters in one state set the rules for the entire nation. American’s need to understand that the ill-conceived and non-scientific Proposition 12 moves us in a dangerous direction, creating uncertainty around our food system. With the implementation date of January 1, 2024, now is the time to address the issue with a legislative fix,” said Mark McHargue, NEFB President.
In May, the United States Supreme Court upheld Proposition 12 which California voters passed in 2018. That law prohibits the importation of pork, veal, and poultry products which do not meet California’s nonscientific animal welfare standards. In the letter, NEFB says the decision opens the door for a simple majority of voters in any state to determine food production practices for consumers across the country. It appears that only a federal legislative fix will prevent this law from moving forward.
“The health, safety, and welfare of animals in their care are a top priority for farmers and ranchers every day. But this law fails to advance that goal and will have serious consequences that will increase prices at the grocery store, drive small farms and ranches out of business, and will risk lowering animal welfare,” said McHargue.
In the letter, NEFB thanks the delegation for supporting the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act while also encouraging continued exploration of any and all opportunities to legislatively address the potentially devastating issue.
The Nebraska Farm Bureau is a grassroots, state-wide organization dedicated to supporting farm and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Nebraskans through a wide variety of educational, service, and advocacy efforts. More than 55,000 families across Nebraska are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve rural and urban prosperity as agriculture is a key fuel to Nebraska’s economy. For more information about Nebraska Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit www.nefb.org.