More than 100 pork producers from 20 states travelled to Washington, D.C., recently to press Congress for a legislative fix to California’s Proposition 12. They warned that without federal action, the law will continue to drive up costs, disrupt interstate commerce, and push family farms to the brink.
During meetings on Capitol Hill, producers shared firsthand accounts of how Prop. 12’s requirements are reshaping the pork supply chain. They told lawmakers and staff that farmers face expensive compliance costs that will ultimately limit consumer choice and raise food prices. Many argued that the law threatens the future of small and mid-sized family farms.
To capture attention, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) unveiled a food truck serving breakfast to lawmakers, staff, and media. The truck carried the message, “Breakfast is Essential. So is Fixing Prop 12.” The event underscored how a patchwork of state laws could make staples such as bacon, ham, and sausage less affordable and harder to find.
NPPC President Duane Stateler, a producer from McComb, Ohio, said the issue strikes at the heart of the pork industry’s mission. “America’s pork producers take pride in providing safe, nutritious, and affordable pork to families across the country. Proposition 12 threatens our mission by raising prices, reducing choices, and putting thousands of family farms at risk. Congress must act now,” he said.

The group also hosted its annual Baconfest reception, a popular gathering for congressional leaders, staff, and industry allies. The event celebrated pork producers while emphasizing pork’s place on the plates of millions of American families.
Producers made their ask clear: Include a Prop. 12 fix in Farm Bill 2.0. They said doing so would restore certainty, protect consumers from higher prices, and preserve farm livelihoods. The push comes as farmers already face high input costs, market volatility, and growing regulatory burdens.
The message resonated because it combined real farm stories with economic consequences. Farmers told lawmakers that the cost of reconfiguring barns or losing access to specific markets is unsustainable. They stressed that if Prop. 12 remains in place without federal intervention, it could set a precedent for other states to create their own rules for agricultural products. That, they argued, would splinter the national market and create chaos for producers.
Despite the uncertainty, pork producers arrived in Washington with determination. They said they will continue to press until Congress acts. The urgency is not just about protecting farmers but also about ensuring Americans can continue to buy pork at reasonable prices.
For now, producers head home hoping their trip moves lawmakers closer to a solution. As Stateler put it, “We have worked too hard to build this industry to see it divided by conflicting state regulations. It’s time for Congress to act.” •
— By Harry Siemens