In May, on behalf of Colorado pork producers, I encouraged Representative Yadira Caraveo to vote for the 2024 Farm Bill in the House Agriculture Committee. I’m pleased to report that her ‘yes’ vote helped the bill pass.

She was one of only four Committee Democrats who voted in favor of the legislation, which includes several vital programs for farmers to be able to pass down their business to future generations.

As a Colorado pork producer and one of Representative Caraveo’s constituents, I’m very pleased with what’s in the House Farm Bill, including a provision that addresses a mound of problems created by California’s Proposition 12.

That 2018 ballot initiative bans the sale in that state of pork from hogs born to sows raised anywhere in the country – including Colorado – in housing that does not meet California’s arbitrary and unscientific standards. If not stopped, California will dictate to the rest of the United States how pigs should be raised.

Prop. 12 will raise the cost of raising pigs for me and other farmers. However, it’s not just farmers who will lose if Prop. 12 stands; consumers are already seeing increased grocery store pork prices in the Golden State. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the cost of bacon in California has risen 16 percent since Prop. 12 took effect, and ribs and loins have increased 17 percent and 41 percent, respectively.

Those stark price hikes will likely spread to the rest of the nation. At a time when grocery store prices are sky high, Coloradans do not need this added burden when trying to feed their families.

The Farm Bill Representative Caraveo voted to approve will fix Prop. 12 and support our nation’s farmers. She deserves to be applauded for that, and we encourage her to continue to support Colorado agriculture as the Farm Bill moves closer toward completion.

Joyce Kelly, Executive Director

Colorado Pork Producers Council