Pork Company Criticizes EATS Act Inclusion in House Farm Bill Framework
2024年5月3日 - 2:18AM
ビジネスワイヤ(英語)
Niman Ranch Expresses Disappointment in Attempt
to Roll Back Animal Welfare Progress, Independent Family Farmer
Economic Opportunity
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson, R-Pa.,
released the outline of a new farm bill Wednesday that includes
language based off the highly controversial Ending Agricultural
Trade Suppression (EATS) Act, with the goal of rolling back
California’s Proposition 12 (Prop 12) and other farm animal
protection laws like it across the country. Prop 12 bans the use of
gestation crates for pork production on farms in California as well
as the in-state sale of certain fresh pork products that do not
meet these gestation crate-free standards.
Niman Ranch General Manager Chris Oliviero released the
following statement:
“The inclusion of the provision mirroring the EATS Act in the
House Agriculture Committee’s draft farm bill framework is a blow
to animal welfare, smaller scale independent family hog farmers and
pork companies like Niman Ranch that are committed to crate-free
production practices and others that have made the necessary
preparations to comply with California’s Proposition 12.
“The language is a gift to large-scale pork production companies
with the goal of rolling back Proposition 12 and other similar
state laws banning the sale of products from animals raised in
cages and crates. The conventional pork industry has been
unsuccessfully fighting Prop 12 since its passage in 2018. They
lost in the court of public opinion when the law was approved with
broad support among California voters, they lost in the courts—all
the way to the U.S. Supreme Court declaring the law constitutional
just last year—and now they are attempting a Hail Mary Pass with
this overreaching legislative act that takes away states’ rights
and farmer’s economic opportunity.
“Don’t believe the industry spin. Prop 12 does not force any
pork company or out of state farm to convert their operation or
sell into California. The argument that Prop 12 will hurt small
farmers is counter to our experience as a company. In fact, over
the last 40 years, the conventional industry’s focus on scale has
forced out the very same small farmers they are purporting to
protect. In Iowa alone, the number of pigs in the state has
increased 83% since 1987, while the number of hog farms has
declined 86%. In the pursuit of cheap meat, the industry has lost
sight of basic consumer expectations for animal welfare, with
smaller scale family farmers committed to higher animal welfare
paying the price.
“Niman Ranch’s network of over 500 independent family hog farms
prove every day that crate-free production is not only possible,
but it can also be profitable and ultimately more pleasant for pig
and farmer alike.
“I hope policymakers in the House and Senate see through the
smoke and mirrors and stand up for farm families that have invested
in Prop 12 compliance, higher animal welfare production and their
rural farming communities.”
About Niman Ranch
Niman Ranch is a community of over 600
independent family farmers and ranchers who raise pork, beef and
lamb traditionally, humanely and sustainably to deliver the
Finest-Tasting Meat in the World®. Niman Ranch is the largest
farmer and rancher network in North America to be Certified
Humane®. The protein of choice for America’s most celebrated chefs,
Niman Ranch is also the premier option for discerning home cooks
looking for meats Raised with Care®, with no antibiotics or added
hormones—ever.
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Alicia LaPorte Niman Ranch Communications Director 860-869-9788,
alicia.laporte@nimanranch.com