Hawley introduces bill to protect livestock producers, tackle increasing costs

WASHINGTON — Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced the Protecting Interstate Commerce for Livestock Producers Act to protect farmers from costly regulations – made in other states – that will hurt their business and drive-up costs for consumers.

In 2018, California voters passed Proposition 12 which would ban the sale of pork, eggs, and calves for veal that were not produced with certain space requirements. It is estimated that California accounts for 13 percent of all pork consumption in the United States. When this law goes into full effect early next year, farmers across the country – including in Missouri – will have to comply with California’s preferred requirements to access the California market.

“Missouri’s livestock producers keep food on the table across America and they shouldn’t be burdened by costly laws – made by other states – that disrupt interstate commerce, drive-up costs, and impose crippling regulations,” said Senator Hawley. “This law is a commonsense solution to protect family farms from going bankrupt and consumers from shouldering higher costs at the grocery store.”

To ensure that no state can mandate animal welfare standards in another state, Senator Hawley’s Protecting Interstate Commerce for Livestock Producers Act:

• Preempts states and local governments from regulating the raising, production, and importation of livestock or livestock-derived goods from another state or local government;
• Allows states to regulate the importation of livestock in the event of animal disease; and
• Protects farmers from states implementing laws that are preempted by this bill.

View full bill text here.