On Thursday, November 30, 2023, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley introduced the Protecting Interstate Commerce for Livestock Producers Act to protect farmers from costly regulations – made in other states – that will hurt their business and drive up consumer costs [1].
Other States
In 2018, California voters passed Proposition 12. This would ban the sale of pork, eggs, and calves for veal not produced with certain space requirements. California is estimated to account for 13 percent of all pork consumption in the United States. When this law goes into full effect early next year, farmers across the country – including in Missouri – must comply with California’s preferred requirements in order to access the California market.
Reason
Senator Hawley explained the reason for this legislation,
Missouri’s livestock producers keep food on the table across America and they shouldn’t be burdened by costly laws – made by other states [2].
To ensure that no state can mandate animal welfare standards in another state, Senator Hawley’s Protecting Interstate Commerce for Livestock Producers Act:
- Preempts states and local governments from regulating the raising, production, and importation of livestock or livestock-derived goods from another state or local government;
- Allows states to regulate the importation of livestock in the event of animal disease
- Protects farmers from states implementing laws that are preempted by this bill.
You can read the entire bill here.
Notes:
- ^ {Hawley Introduces New Legislation to Protect Livestock Producers {\&} Tackle Rising Costs} (go back ↩)
- ^ {Hawley Introduces New Legislation to Protect Livestock Producers {\&} Tackle Rising Costs} (go back ↩)
