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Press Release

U.S. Supreme Court Decision Affirms States’ Rights to Regulate CAFOs to Protect Animal Welfare and Supports States Advancing Innovative Climate Solutions

“The logic of the Court’s decision supports states stepping up with laws to advance innovative climate change solutions to help drive the electric vehicle market and reduce carbon pollution by spurring more renewable energy.”

Statement by Howard Learner
Executive Director, Environmental Law & Policy Center

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision today in National Pork Producers Council v. Ross upholds the State of California’s Proposition 12, which banned the sale of inhumanely raised pork products. The Supreme Court majority rejected the dormant Commerce Clause challenge brought by industry groups on behalf of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) in which thousands of pigs, cattle and chickens are crowded together in very tightly confined facilities.

“The Supreme Court’s decision today is a big win for states stepping up with important environmental and public health protections and advancing innovative climate change solutions when Congress is gridlocked or the federal government does not sufficiently act,” said Howard Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “The Court directly allows California and other states to exercise their consumer market power to promote more humane treatment of animals that are raised for the food we eat. The logic of the Court’s decision supports states stepping up with laws to advance innovative climate change solutions to help drive the electric vehicle market and reduce carbon pollution by spurring renewable energy development.”

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