Ernst Stands with Producers Against California’s War on Iowa Ag, Renews EATS Act
The EATS Act would prohibit states and local governments from interfering with the agricultural production of another state.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Roger Marshall (R-Kans.), members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, are co-leading the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act, on behalf of farmers and producers negatively impacted by the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in favor of California’s Proposition 12. The EATS Act would prohibit states and local governments from interfering with the agricultural production of another state.
“California should look a little bit more like Iowa, not the other way around. Proposition 12 puts the regulatory burdens on the backs of farmers and racks up the price for consumers at the grocery store, and the EATS Act will prevent such actions from crushing our Iowa producers,” said Senator Ernst. “I will continue to fight against reckless policies from activists who attempt to ban Iowa’s agricultural products.”
“Iowa pig farmers appreciate Sens. Ernst and Grassley co-sponsoring the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression Act,” said Trish Cook, President of the Iowa Pork Producers Association.“States should not be able to regulate industries outside of their borders. This bill is a good first step in protecting producers’ livelihoods so they can raise safe and healthy pigs for generations to come. We know what most U.S. consumers want and it’s affordable, sustainable, and nutritious pork to feed their families. Thank you, Senators Ernst and Grassley, for backing this bill.”
Background:
In 2018, California voters approved Proposition 12, a ballot measure that prohibits the sale of pork, eggs, and veal not produced according to the state’s arbitrary production standards. This sweeping policy will force businesses and farmers who wish to enter California’s market to restructure their facilities and reengineer management protocol to meet one singular state's demands. On May 11, 2023, the United States Supreme Court put out a ruling in favor of Proposition 12 in the case of National Pork Producers Council v. Ross, opening the door for Congressional action.
In the state of Iowa, the pork industry sustains over 88,000 jobs and leads in pork production with 23 million hogs. Iowa is also number one in egg production with more than 58.0 million laying hens and $2.4 billion in sales annually. The housing standards outlined in California’s Proposition 12 ballot initiative would require a complete renovation of nearly all animal confinement facilities for pork, eggs, and veal.
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