Contact:

Chelsea McGuire

Government Relations Director

Arizona Farm Bureau

480.635.3602

chelseamcguire@azfb.org

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


 The U.S. Supreme Court today decided it will hear a challenge to California’s Proposition 12 filed by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). Passed in 2018, the law seeks to mandate animal housing standards for any producer who sells meat or egg products into California, even for producers outside of that state.

The Arizona Farm Bureau Federation was one of several state Farm Bureau organizations to submit an amicus brief in support of the Court’s decision to grant certiorari. Arizona Farm Bureau President Stefanie Smallhouse praised the Court’s decision:

“Farmers and ranchers take seriously the task of raising animals in a safe, healthy, and humane way,” Smallhouse said. “Mandates like Prop 12 are baseless and confuse the consumer while needlessly increasing food costs, constricting supply lines, limiting consumer choice and creating an unconstitutional restriction of interstate commerce. We are glad to have the opportunity to explain to the U.S. Supreme Court why it should not allow these ballot initiative efforts to stand to prevent them from taking hold in other states, including Arizona. It’s time to get rid of these ill-conceived, arbitrary, and unscientific mandates.” 

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall also applauded the Court’s decision to hear the merits of the case, saying “[w]e look forward to presenting the facts to the Court, including how Prop 12 hamstrings farmers’ efforts to provide a safe environment for their animals, while harming small family farms and raising pork prices across the country. One state’s misguided law should not dictate farming practices for an entire nation.”

About Arizona Farm Bureau 

The Arizona Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization dedicated to preserving and improving the Arizona agriculture industry. Agriculture is essential to Arizona's prosperity and Arizona Farm Bureau is the Voice of Agriculture. We empower members through grassroots advocacy, communication, and education. Learn more or become a member at www.azfb.org.

 

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