California Proposition #12 banned the sale of pork derived from sows held in gestation crates effective 2024. This 2018 legislation and the CADFA regulations has had minimal effect on price and consumption in California. Despite the dire predictions of unavailability and high prices as a result of implementation, prices of pork products including bacon are only slightly higher than in the rest of the U.S.
The small but real increases in the prices of bacon, ribs and loin cuts were predicted to depress consumption. Prior to introduction of Proposition #12, California accounted for 9 to 12 percent of pork consumption consistent with a population of 40 million in the state. Current pork consumption has fallen to approximately 8 percent of national demand suggesting a 20 percent reduction in pork eaten, favoring chicken and possibly turkey.
Economists at the University of California at Davis calculated that at the time of implementing Proposition #12 that there was an adequate supply of product from sows held under group housing and that no incremental investment was necessary to comply with Proposition #12.
As experienced with eggs, ballot initiatives intended to improve flock and herd welfare have financial implications for consumers, a reality that is generally underplayed by proponents who emphasize the appeal to emotion and conveniently omit the quantifiable implications of passage of ballot initiatives dealing with welfare.