The Save Our Bacon Act Targets Pig Welfare in Pork Industry

Summary

New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof discusses the Save Our Bacon Act, federal legislation aimed at overturning state animal-welfare bans on pork from gestation crates. The conversation covers voter sentiment in Massachusetts and California, the industrial efficiency of confinement, and the role of Chinese-owned Smithfield in pushing the bill. No tradeable investment ideas are offered.

• Save Our Bacon Act would prohibit states from barring pork produced using gestation crates.
• Voter referendums in Massachusetts and California banned sale of such pork.
• Kristof argues crates are inhumane and 84% of Americans consider them unacceptable.
• Pork industry says state bans raise pork prices; Kristof agrees they make pork more efficient and cheaper.
• Smithfield Farms, owned by a Chinese state-linked company, is a key backer of the bill.
• The bill passed the House as part of the agriculture bill and faces a Senate fight.
• Broad bipartisan and conservative concern over privileging a Chinese firm over US voters.