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AG’s appeal Massachusetts pork ban

Attorneys general from some of the top pork-producing states are challenging an animal confinement law in Massachusetts.

Iowa Pork Producers Association attorney Eldon McAfee says Question 3 is similar to California’s Proposition 12.

“The difference here is the Massachusetts law has not been through the court system and to the Supreme Court like California’s Prop 12.”

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird recently filed an amicus brief supported by AG’s in Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and other states in support of Triumph Foods’ appeal to the most recent district court decision on Question 3.

“If the circuit court rules against Triumph Foods, I don’t know for sure, but you would expect that Triumph Foods would ask the U.S. Supreme Court to take the case.”

Andy Curliss with the National Pork Producers Council says a patchwork of state regulations is not tenable and Congress should intervene.

“To set a normal, stable, certain foundation so that commerce, farming, and certainly delivery of food to people across the country can continue.”

McAfee says without federal intervention litigation is one of the only options for pork producers trying to overturn Question 3 and Prop 12.

Eldon McAfee interview: