Iowa AG joins appeal against Massachusetts hog regulations

DES Moines, Iowa – Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is leading 21 other states in supporting an appeal against Massachusetts’ pig confinement requirements.

Bird’s office said it goes further than California’s Proposition 12, which was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Massachusetts laws prohibit the sale of pork in the state unless housing requirements are met. This means that sows in confinement must have enough space to move around.

A lawyer for the Iowa Pork Producers Association said it would create a financial burden for Iowa pork producers.

“Our main concern is the cost of having facilities that allow the sows to be kept lying down, free to turn, etc.” said Eldon McAfee, attorney for the Iowa Pork Producers Association. “This requires significant investment in modifying facilities that produce this meat to comply with Massachusetts law.”

In a statement, Bird said the ban was unconstitutional.

“Iowa farmers have two drastic options: incur huge costs to comply with red tape that could drive them out of business, or a ban on pork sales,” she said.