UC ag economists have published three new papers offering an early glimpse into the impacts of California’s Proposition 12 animal welfare law.
The state began to fully implement and enforce the regulations in January, more than five years after voter approval. Delays due to legal battles have led to “market fluctuations, uncertainty and costs imposed on producers and consumers,” according to the researchers.
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Californians have faced 20% higher prices for pork on average since July compared to other states, while pork loins shot up 41% and wholesale prices have jumped 30%. Products not covered by Prop. 12 did not see significant changes. Pork consumption, meanwhile, has declined by about 10% and the amount of pork available is significantly lower.
With Massachusetts also approving an animal welfare law, the researchers worry about a patchwork of policies spreading across the country, further raising costs and uncertainty.
