Metro East Sun

U.S. Representative Mike Bost voiced his opposition to California's Proposition 12 in a Facebook post dated December 5, stating, "Prop 12 policies are hurting our farmers and producers."

"California has no right to tell farmers in Illinois how to raise their livestock or run their farms," said Bost, according to Facebook. "Prop 12 policies are hurting our farmers and producers. This is an issue I've been fighting against while working on the upcoming Farm Bill. As Southern Illinois' voice on the House Agriculture Committee, I'm committed to making sure our farmers have a say in what directly impacts their farms, their communities, and their livelihoods."

In the post, Bost referenced a report from KFVS12 highlighting the impact of California’s Proposition 12 on Illinois farmers. The proposition mandates that each pregnant pig must have 24 square feet of space and prohibits sales from companies not adhering to these regulations. According to Jennifer Tirey, executive director of the Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA), Illinois farmers often lack the financial resources to meet such regulations. Tirey emphasized the importance of the national farm bill for local producers, stating, "It says that California cannot regulate how other states raise their animals. They could make the decisions within their state, but they can’t tell farmers in Illinois how to raise their animals."

Screenshot of U.S. Rep. Mike Bost's Dec. 5 Facebook post | U.S. Rep. Mike Bost's Facebook page

According to a report by 25 News Now from May 2023, Proposition 12 was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court that month. The requirement for pregnant pigs to have 24 square feet is more extensive than most other places, as noted in the report. Proposition 12 took effect on July 1, 2023.

One farmer explained to the news station his practice of crating pregnant pigs for four weeks postpartum to protect them and their offspring. Polo Farmer Brian Duncan said, "If you do not do this, these animals fight. They are very aggressive animals. They injure each other, and you lose a lot of pregnancies."

Bost has been serving as the representative for Illinois’ 12th District since January 6, 2015. With two decades of experience in the Illinois State House of Representatives as House Republican Caucus Chair, he is also a lifelong resident of Murphysboro and a former U.S. Marine Corps member from 1979-1982. Before entering politics full-time, Bost worked at Bost Trucking Service for 24 years and later joined the Murphysboro Fire Department after completing training at the University of Illinois’ Certified Firefighter II Academy in 1993.