Implementation of California Proposition 12 Delayed, NPPC Reports
Pork-consuming California stakeholders negotiated with the state of California to extend the injunction against the implementation of California Proposition 12 for whole pork, the National Pork Producers Council shared in a statement on Monday.
On Nov. 23, this coalition filed a joint stipulation with the Superior Court of Sacramento asking for an extension of the court’s injunction against implementation of Proposition 12 until July 1, 2023.
"Earlier this year, the Superior Court of Sacramento enjoined California’s implementation of Proposition 12 until 180 days after the final rules were issued. On September 1, 2022, California issued its final implementation rules, which would trigger enforcement and compliance by February 28, 2023," NPPC wrote.
Members of the Food Equity Alliance, a statewide coalition of diverse consumer and business groups that rely on robust national supply chains of pork to provide nutrition to Californians, asked to extend the injunction until after the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) decides on NPPC and the American Farm Bureau Federation’s constitutional challenge against California Proposition 12. The coalition consists of California grocery stores and restaurants, business organizations, food processors, and food equity supporters, including the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Grocer Association, the Retailers Association and Kruse Meats.
The Food Equity Alliance said the lack of a delay in Proposition 12 implementation would "unfairly harm Latino and Asian grocers, restaurants and families who rely on pork as a primary source of protein in everyday meals." As well, it would create food insecurity and increase food prices on small businesses and families who cannot afford it. In addition, it would make it impossible for producers to meet the Proposition 12 deadline – with the state missing the required deadline to provide guidelines and institute rule-making that’s fueling even more concerns about food supply and prices, the alliance said on its website.
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on California Proposition 12 on Oct. 11. Considering the pending SCOTUS decision, the parties of the California state action agreed that implementation of California Proposition 12 should be delayed further until the middle of 2023 after SCOTUS rules - which is anticipated in early 2023, NPPC wrote. The Superior Court of Sacramento is expected to approve the joint stipulation filed by the parties to this case, extending the injunction against implementation of Proposition 12 until July 1, 2023.
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