FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS ADVISORY
December 21, 2017
Steve Marshall
For More Information, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Alabama Attorney General
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Page 1 of 1
AG STEVE MARSHALL JOINS LAWSUITS PROTECTING ALABAMA AND OTHER
STATES FROM UNCONSTITUTIONAL FARMING REGULATIONS IMPOSED BY
CALIFORNIA AND MASSACHUSETTS
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that Alabama has joined two
lawsuits this month challenging attempts by California and Massachusetts to impose their
agricultural restrictions on farmers in other states, including Alabama.
“States and their residents have the right to set their own standards for the production of
agricultural goods, especially for reasons of health and safety,” said Attorney General Marshall.
“However, they don’t have the right to impose restrictions on how products from other states
are raised, which is what California and Massachusetts have done. Through a series of
referendums, both states have attempted to impose costly restrictions on the production of
certain agriculture products coming from outside their states and sold within their borders.
“California’s and Massachusetts’ efforts to regulate farming in other states violate the
Commerce Clause of the Constitution which gives Congress the authority to regulate commerce
among the states,” Attorney General Marshall added. “If allowed to go unchallenged, such
unconstitutional regulations could adversely affect all forms of commerce between states. The
citizens of Alabama should not have to live by the liberal edicts of California and
Massachusetts. I have joined two separate lawsuits filed before the U.S. Supreme Court this
month aimed at preventing California and Massachusetts from imposing their will on the rest of
America.”
On December 5, 2017, Alabama joined 12 other states in filing a lawsuit against the State of
California for requiring that eggs sold in that state comply with its regulations governing the
housing of laying hens. On December 11, 2017, Alabama joined 12 other states in filing a
similar lawsuit against the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for barring the sale of eggs, pork,
and veal not housed according to its new regulations.
“By targeting regulations at farmers in other states, California and Massachusetts can effectively
drive up agriculture costs across the country, adversely affecting both the farmer and the
consumer,” Attorney General Marshall added. “It is important that these cases be resolved in
the U.S. Supreme Court and states’ rights be upheld.”
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501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.alabama.gov
