Part 2: Proposition 12 Versus the US Pork Industry

Today, we continue with part two of our two-part series on Proposition 12 and its impact on US pork producers. National Pork Producers Council President Dwayne Stateler explains why the organization is pushing to prevent a patchwork of laws across the country.

“It's sort of ironic that now, after the Supreme Court has been done, the people that were sponsoring Prop 12 have come to a couple of states, and they actually wanted to make a deal with Ohio, because we had a law not like Prop 12. We made an agreement with HSUS back in 2010 where we would have a livestock care Standard Board set, and matter of fact, we were the first ones to limit the gestation crate use in our buildings to where it was deemed that the sow was pregnant and able to carry the litter. It's about ending production.”

Although Stateler emphasizes the debate isn't about pen size, there is evidence that larger pen sizes actually cause more harm to the animals.

“There are now studies out there, and there's some things out there now that, you know, you can see that were it's a different management in your open plan gestation. And the more square foot that you add, the more area there is for ruptures, or, you know, for carrying on between animals and stuff, then the more space you get- is not necessarily the best thing."

Stateler, from Ohio, says the industry just wants consistent rules across state lines and fair markets.