EATS Act Introduced to Block California Animal Confinement Rules

The animal confinement rules established in Proposition 12 are now being challenged through Congressional action. Legislation was recently introduced in the U.S. Senate aimed at preventing states and local governments from interfering with agricultural interstate commerce. The Exposing Agricultural Trade Suppression ACT, known simply as the EATS Act, was introduced by Senators Roger Marshall, Chuck Grassley, Joni Ernst, John Cornyn, and Cindy Hyde-Smith. Companion legislation was also introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, by Representatives Ashley Hinson, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and Randy Feenstra.

“Mississippians don’t like the idea of liberal states like California imposing their radical ideas on us or dictating how our farmers and ranchers do their jobs. I’m sure that’s the case from coast to coast,” Hyde-Smith said in a press release. “This pro-ag, pro-jobs legislation would establish a federal standard that fosters greater interstate commerce among states without interference from activist city or state governments.”

Passed by California voters in 2018, Prop 12 sets specific animal confinement guidelines for certain products sold in the state. The law applies to all producers nationwide that wish to sell products in the state of California. Several other states have since enacted similar types of laws impacting out-of-state producers. Under the EATS Act,