LINCOLN- A court ruling billed as a victory against what animal rights groups call animal cruelty is being slammed by Gov. Jim Pillen, a hog farmer, as well as several major farm organizations for its "radical" nature. "This decision is a huge blow for producers and will raise food costs for consumers and small businesses already struggling with mounting inflation," said Pillen in a press release.

Proposition 13, the ruling in question, was approved by California voters in 2018, and bans the sale of pork in the state from farms that hold pregnant pigs in "gestation crates." According to several Nebraska farmers, including Gov. Pillen, such crates are standard practice in modern pig farms, but are barely bigger than the pigs' bodies. Animal rights groups argue that the cages are inhumane and that pregnant sows should have room to lay down and turn around.

Pillen, as well as the Nebraska Farm Bureau and Department of Agriculture, argue that the ruling will have widespread, detrimental economic effects and could lead to further food restrictions. "It is imperative Nebraskans, and all Americans understand that California's Proposition 12 moves us in a dangerous direction, creating uncertainty around our food system," said Mark McHargue, president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau.

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