Washington, DC — During a U.S. House Agriculture Committee hearing on California’s Proposition 12 on Wednesday, Congressman Randy Feenstra of Hull discussed what he calls “the negative economic impacts of this egregious mandate on Iowa hog farmers” and submitted for the congressional record letters penned by Iowa hog farmers about the adverse effects of Proposition 12 on their farms and operations.
Matt Schuiteman, a hog farmer from Sioux County, also testified before the U.S. House Agriculture Committee about the negative ramifications of Proposition 12.
Feenstra said, “California’s Prop 12 mandates threaten the safety and health of hogs, increase operating costs for Iowa hog farmers, raise pork prices for families, and jeopardize our food and farm security. It’s why I helped lead legislation and voted for a Farm Bill that overturns Prop 12, restores consumer choice, and supports Iowa farmers and our rural communities. During today’s hearing, I submitted for the congressional record personal letters from Iowa hog farmers who have faced decreased herd health, substantial financial expense, and market losses because of Prop 12. Allowing a state that represents less than 1/10 of 1% of hog production to mandate activist-driven practices for farmers across the country is blatantly wrong. Representing the largest pork-producing congressional district in the country, I will continue to work to repeal Prop 12 and stand up for our hog farmers.”
Feenstra says the regulations that Prop 12 puts in place are not only difficult to deal with, they are ill-advised.
In response to Feenstra’s question about the implications of Proposition 12 on the health of hogs, Schuiteman responded:
Schuiteman further noted that “We [hog farmers] have talked about the $3,500 – $4,500 range per sow or more,” to convert operations to comply with Proposition 12.
KIWA Staff Photo
