Sioux City Times

Today, during a hearing of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee on California's Proposition 12, U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra expressed concerns about the economic impact of the mandate on Iowa hog farmers. He submitted letters from Iowa hog farmers to the congressional record, highlighting the adverse effects of Proposition 12 on their operations.

Matt Schuiteman, a hog farmer from Sioux County, Iowa, also testified at the hearing regarding the negative consequences of Proposition 12. "California’s Prop 12 mandates threaten the safety and health of hogs, increase operating costs for Iowa hog farmers, raise pork prices for families, and jeopardize our food and farm security," said Rep. Feenstra. He emphasized his efforts in leading legislation and voting for a Farm Bill aimed at overturning Prop 12 to support Iowa farmers.

Feenstra stated that allowing a state with minimal hog production to dictate practices for farmers nationwide is unjust. "Representing the largest pork-producing congressional district in the country, I will continue to work to repeal Prop 12 and stand up for our hog farmers," he added.

In response to Feenstra's inquiry about Proposition 12's impact on hog health, Schuiteman remarked that those who crafted the initiative lacked industry experience. "Prop 12 takes away our ability to act on what we know for the best interest of the animal," he said.

Schuiteman further noted conversion costs ranging from $3,500 to $4,500 per sow or more to comply with Proposition 12.

Feenstra introduced the Save Our Bacon Act today to prevent states like California and Massachusetts from imposing arbitrary mandates on farming practices nationwide. Last year, he voted for a Farm Bill that sought to repeal Proposition 12.