Farm animal confinement statutes such as California’s Proposition 12, have been popular in news stories, the legislative branch, and the judiciary around the country.  In recent months, there has been significant developments that necessitate an update on where things currently stand with farm animal confinement statutes. For some background and history on this issue and a discussion of National Pork Producers Council v. Ross, the United States Supreme Court decision involving Proposition 12, click here to read my Congressional Testimony from July 2025. Farm Bill 2.0 Language The United… Read More →

The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit recently upheld a legal challenge to Massachusetts Question 3, an animal confinement statute similar to California’s Prop 12.  [Read Opinion here.] Background In 2016, Massachusetts voters passed Question 3, the Act to Prevent Cruelty to Farm Animals (“the Act”).  The Act applied to veal, poultry, and pork, but this case involved only the provisions related to pork production.  The Act prohibited the use of gestation crates on pig farms in Massachusetts.  Additionally, the law prohibited the sale of… Read More →