Pork Producers Push for Prop 12 Action as Senate Farm Bill Advances Without Clear Fix

This press release from Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) was published on 2026-10-06 and titled "Pork Producers Push for Prop 12 Action as Senate Farm Bill Advances Without Clear Fix".

Pork Producers Push for Prop 12 Action as Senate Farm Bill Advances Without Clear Fix

Pork Producers Push for Prop 12 Action as Senate Farm Bill Advances Without Clear Fix Thursday, September 17, 2026 CG46414 Tuesday, October 6, 2026 RFD TV Pork Producers Push for Prop 12 Action as Senate Farm Bill Advances Without Clear Fix Pork producers had hoped the Senate farm bill would address the issue. By Neal Burnette-Irwin, Marion Kirkpatrick ST. PAUL, Minn. (RFD News) — Pork producers are raising concerns after the Senate farm bill failed to address Proposition 12, which was not included in the version that cleared the chamber’s ag committee on Wednesday afternoon. Minnesota pork producer Todd Marotz warns that without federal action, differing state regulations could become a growing concern for the industry. “It’s very important that we avoid a patchwork. All you have to do is look at the facts around what’s happened in California. Prop 12 has increased the pork price. It’s reduced demand enough that it’s affected demand nationally by reducing it by about 2%. All this has really increased input costs for producers. It’s increased consolidation, or will continue to increase consolidation, with really no improvement on animal welfare.” Marotz is encouraging other pork producers to contact their lawmakers. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) also discussed California’s Proposition 12 in her interview with RFD News , saying that not providing a fix for it in the Farm Bill could negatively impact pork producers in her state. “I actually had two pork producers from Mississippi in my office this morning telling me how important that is for them,” Hyde-Smith said. The senator said the issue is included in the House version of the Farm Bill and that she expects an opportunity to address it as the Senate considers the legislation. Meanwhile, U.S. pork exports remained ahead of last year from January through July, reaching more than 1.7 million metric tons. Export volume increased 2 percent from a year earlier, while value rose 1 percent. Shipments to Japan increased 16 percent by volume, while Central America set a new record and moved ahead of Canada as the fifth-largest destination by volume. Issues Agriculture Energy and Environment Jobs and Economy Rural Communities Region Capital Coast Delta East Central Golden Triangle North Mississippi Pine Belt Southwest