It’s no question that the mounting homeless population in California is not only a national disgrace but also a public health emergency.
Yet Californians continue to keep their eye OFF the ball.
In 2018, California enacted by a 2-to-1 ratio a new farm animal welfare law that requires that any “breeding pigs, egg-laying chickens and veal calves be given enough space to stand and turn around.” Most egg and veal producers already comply with the recommended rules, but pork producers have argued that these new vague standards are too expensive and can’t be effectively carried out.
The law was supposed to take effect earlier this month and would have resulted in visitors to the Golden State either facing a bacon shortage or a more expensive breakfast. Some estimates on compliance with the new standards could raise prices up to “15 percent more per animal for a farm with 1,000 breeding pigs.” And, to be inclusive, the law imposes these standards on pork and other agricultural products produced in other states, not just California.
But, a Sacramento County Superior Court judge said, “not so fast.” As the Des Moines Register reports:
“A California judge decided this week to delay enforcement of part of a new farm animal welfare law that critics said would cause price hikes and supply shortages for bacon and other fresh pork products in the state.
“The law that went into effect Jan. 1 stemmed from a 2018 ballot measure where California voters set the nation’s toughest living space standards for breeding sows.
“Industry lawsuits opposing the initiative failed, but grocers and restauranteurs then sued to put off enforcement of the new law.
“Sacramento County Superior Court Judge James Arguelles ruled Monday that retailers and restaurants would not be subject to enforcement of the new restrictions on whole pork meat sales until six months after the state enacts final regulations.”
The bottom line: it’s too bad California politicians are more concerned about farm animals raised in Minnesota and Iowa rather than their own homeless citizens.
