California’s Proposition 12 includes new trade barriers that affect hogs grown out of state. The law was passed by 63% of Californians who voted to regulate the size of pens for sows in and out of California. The National Pork Producers and the Farm Bureau are suing, saying that the law violates the Constitution’s restraints to regulate industry beyond their borders. One of the Court’s many challenges in addressing Proposition 12 is that farmers who grow hogs do not know in advance where the hogs will be sold. Another challenge is how to address the 24 sq. ft. requirement; 24 sq.ft. is big enough that a sow can turn around or lay down, but as I recall, when I lived on the farm and raised hogs, the point of crates is to keep the sow still as she delivers the pigs. Otherwise, she might lay down and smother the piglets (or, in those days, be mean to me).
Robert Barnes reports for The Washington Post: Supreme Court weighs the far-reaching effects of California pork restrictions.