Iowa AG joins appeal against Massachusetts hog farming rules

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

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

Massachusetts regulations prohibit the sale of pork in their state if housing requirements are not met. This means that sows in confinement must have enough space to move around.

An attorney for the Pork Producers Association of Iowa said it would create a financial burden for Iowa pork producers.

“Our main concern is the cost of facilities to allow sows to be housed with conditions of lying down, free turning, etc.,” said Eldon McAfee, attorney for the Iowa Pork Producers Association. “It requires a significant investment to modify their facilities so that this meat complies with Massachusetts law.”

In a statement, Bird said the ban was unconstitutional.

“Iowa farmers are faced with two drastic options: pay extreme costs to comply with red tape that could put them out of business or be barred from selling their pork,” she said.