The United States District Court of the Northern District of Iowa has dismissed the Iowa Pork Producers Association challenge to Proposition 12. District Court Judge C.J. William held that it was improper for plaintiffs in Iowa to bring a case against the state of California in an Iowa court. A request for preliminary injunction against the state of California setting aside Proposition 12 was also rejected.
Clearly the decision was based on the standing of the plaintiffs but not necessarily the merits of the case. Notwithstanding the decision, it is evident that gestation stalls have been replaced by the majority of large pork producers, including Tyson Foods and Smithfield Foods who have adopted group housing for sows. Holdouts for gestation stalls may be defeated not only in a court of law but also in the court of public opinion. Those that would perpetuate this housing system generally regarded as inhumane will find fewer customers for their products.