California Bacon Law Bans Caged Pork, But Allows Non-Compliant Sales Until 2023

A California law aimed at getting breeding pigs out of narrow cages will finally take effect, but it will be six months before shoppers can be sure that pork they buy complies with the new rules. The delay in effective implementation has frustrated supporters of the law, which was approved by voters four years ago. While some see the delay as an opportunity for producers to adjust and reduce the chance of shortages, others argue that it compounds instability and confusion in the marketplace. The law, which also includes space requirements for egg-laying hens and veal calves, has faced legal challenges from the pork industry, which argues that California shouldn't dictate how farmers in other states raise hogs. The Supreme Court upheld the law, but farmers will need to make costly changes to comply.