Court bars meat industry from blocking California law that mandates better living conditions for food animals

"A federal judge in Los Angeles refused to stop California from enforcing a voter-approved measure requiring farmers to provide more space for animals being raised for food," Jonathan Stempel reports for Reuters. "U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder ruled on Friday that the North American Meat Institute, whose members include processors such as Tyson Foods and retailers including Walmart, did not deserve a preliminary injunction against enforcing the measure known as Proposition 12."

Voters approved Prop. 12 last November. The law mandates minimum amounts of living space for calves raised for veal, breeding pigs and egg-laying hens. It also bars the sale of raw veal, pork, or eggs from animals raised in spaces that don't meet that minimum requirement.

"The Meat Institute had argued that enforcement would hurt producers and consumers by increasing food costs, and violated the U.S. Constitution’s Commerce Clause by requiring out-of-state producers to comply or face the sales ban," Stempel reports. But the judge said there was no evidence the law substantially burdened interstate commerce, even if it meant less profit for producers. A Meat Institute spokesperson said the group may appeal the decision.