FarmSTAND (formerly the Food Project at Public Justice) submitted an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in support of California’s Proposition 12, which limits the sale of pork products in California produced using extreme confinement. The Supreme Court of the United States sided with the State of California and upheld the law.
In our amicus brief defending California’s law, we argued that extreme confinement facilitates the spread of zoonotic diseases among animals. This puts slaughterhouse workers, drivers, livestock auction employees, and other workers who interact with animal carcasses at increased risk for contracting such diseases and spreading them to their communities. During oral argument for this case, Justice Sotomayor appeared to rely on the brief when citing information about the spread of zoonotic diseases among swine.
The Supreme Court decision to uphold Proposition 12 protects California’s animal agriculture workers from disease, while creating higher welfare conditions for farmed animals sold within its borders. We are proud to have played a role in this win for workers, farmed animals, and public health. Read our statement on the win here.
FarmSTAND is proud to represent former OSHA officials David Michaels and Jordan Barab, the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, the National Joint Council of Food Inspection Locals, Food Chain Workers Alliance, Towards Justice, and the HEAL Food Alliance in this case.