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NPPC: The Facts on California Proposition 12 Implementation Modification

June 26, 2023 — 

On Thursday, the state of California released a court order that modifies the California Proposition 12 implementation. Contrary to some reporting - this is not a delay of all of Proposition 12, rather it is an adjustment related to the sale of whole pork meat.

This is an extension of time for the sale of non-compliant whole pork meat, provided that the meat is in the supply chain by July 1. If it is in the supply chain by July 1, that product can be sold in California until December 31. Anything harvested after July 1, to be sold in California, will still have to be Proposition 12 compliant.

Read the California court order.

What is the significance of this order:

California recognized that if something was not done on the implementation of Proposition 12, consumers in the state could potentially face increased food prices and a significant decrease in amount of pork supplied to the state.

NPPC's take:

On Thursday, in reaction to the court order, NPPC released the following statement from CEO Bryan Humphreys:

"It is welcome news to America's pig farmers and consumers that California recognized the challenging situation the July 1 Proposition 12 implementation date will have on our industry and food supply. Granting six months of additional relief for products in the supply chain allows grocery stores to remain stocked so the 40 million Californians have uninterrupted access to affordable, safe and nutritious pork products, especially with rising food prices.

"We appreciate Governor Newsom, Attorney General Bonta and the California Department of Food and Agriculture for their efforts over the past month to find a solution to achieve a smoother transition for the entire pork value chain, including our foreign trading partners.

"While this temporary solution does not solve the challenges and uncertainty California Proposition 12 brings to our industry, NPPC looks forward to working with Congress to find a permanent bipartisan solution to this problem."

What is next:

NPPC continues to work with Congress to find a permanent, bipartisan solution to Proposition 12 that will ensure all American families have access to abundant, safe and nutritious pork products.

For resources and to learn more about compliance guidelines, please visit:

[Source: NPPC 23 June 2023]