Largest US Pork Packer Closing California Plant, Citing High Costs and Red Tape
“Smithfield is taking these steps due to the escalating cost of doing business in California,” the company explained.
Jim Monroe, vice president for corporate affairs of Smithfield, said two main factors drove the company’s decision: high costs and overregulation.
“The cost of doing business in California is significantly higher than other states where we operate. Utilities, for example, are 3.5 times per head higher than our other location where we do the same work. Taxes and other costs are significantly higher,” he told The Epoch Times.
Meanwhile, it’s also challenging to operate in the Golden State because of the red tape.
He cited Proposition 12, a state law passed by voters in 2018, as a prime example.
Propositions 12—an animal protection bill backed by the Humane Society—mandates factory farms to give hens, sows, and veal calves enough room to stand up, lie down, turn around, and stretch their limbs without hitting the sides of a cage.
The law also implements a sales ban against noncompliant animal products including eggs, pork, and veal, from out of state.
I agree California could lower expenses and regulations.
As much as I am pro-business and love eating meat, I think while animals are alive they shouldn’t suffer. Allowing hens, sows, and veal calves enough room to stand up, lie down, turn around, and stretch their limbs without hitting the sides of a cage is the least humane they should be treated.
As someone who grew up working on a family dairy farm, I agree with this.
Just because we eat them doesn’t mean we need to be cruel before the plate…
This plant is owned by the Chinese.