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# GRAPHIC: Hog welfare laws covered less than 3% of all hogs in U.S. in 2022, USDA says
- URL: https://www.investigatemidwest.org/hog-welfare-laws-covered-less-than-3-of-all-hogs-in-u-s-in-2022-usda-says/
- Published: 2023-01-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2023-01-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Description: Laws governing hog welfare are primarily in states that don’t contribute much to the nation’s pork supply, according to the USDA.
- Author: Sky Chadde, Investigate Midwest
- Tags: Data Harvest, Region, TP::Explainer, gestation crates, National Pork Producers' Council, pork production, USDA, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-06-18 04:56

Over the past 20 years, several states have banned the use of gestation crates, or metal confinements, for pregnant sows. But those states contribute very little to the nation’s overall pork supply.

Combined, nine states contributed less than 3% to the nation’s pork supply, [according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture](https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/chart-gallery/gallery/chart-detail/?chartId=103505&cpid=email&ref=investigatemidwest.org). Ohio contributed about 3% on its own to the nation’s pork supply in 2022, but its law doesn’t go into effect until 2026.

The National Pork Producers Council has challenged California’s law. The council has [argued](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/supreme-court-grapples-with-animal-welfare-in-a-challenge-to-a-california-law-requiring-pork-to-be-humanely-raised?ref=investigatemidwest.org) that it’s too much of a burden for hog farmers and will restrict interstate commerce, given the number of consumers in California.

The case is before the U.S. Supreme Court, and a decision is [pending](https://www.oyez.org/cases/2022/21-468?ref=investigatemidwest.org). Massachusetts' law, which bans the sale of pork produced with gestation crates, is on hold pending the justices’ decision, [according to PBS](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/supreme-court-grapples-with-animal-welfare-in-a-challenge-to-a-california-law-requiring-pork-to-be-humanely-raised?ref=investigatemidwest.org).