By Bryan Humphreys, CEO, NPPC
Pork producers are working in an environment that is increasingly challenging and complex. Detractors are constantly pushing for changes to how producers run their farms. Legislation and regulations coming from Washington D.C., state capitals around the country and abroad can further impact pork production. These headwinds are bigger than any single producer can tackle, but everyone coming together to work as a unified voice can significantly impact the pork industry’s ability to shape smart policies.
Guided by a producer-led board, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) advocates for reasonable policies for all pork producers, regardless of operation size, geographic location or business philosophy. We engage with legislators, regulators, international trading partners, and other like-minded organizations to protect producers’ interests on key issues. Thanks to the investment and active participation by our members, NPPC continues to produce results.
Here are a few 2022 groundbreaking NPPC achievements:
International Trade
U.S. pork is shipped to more than 100 countries, and those exports add significantly to the bottom line of each pork producer. Opening new and expanding existing markets for U.S. pork is vital to the industry’s success.
- Strongly advocated for the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 to address longstanding supply chain and shipping port issues that have hampered pork exports.
- Secured USDA funding and launched a program with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service and leaders from the Philippine Department of Agriculture and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to address challenges related to African swine fever.
- Supported opening Nigeria’s market to sausage and similar U.S. pork products.
- Worked for Vietnam to reduce tariffs on U.S. pork to 10 percent in July 22.
- Worked for the Philippines to extend tariffs reduction on in-quota pork cuts from 30% to 15% and for out-of-quota shipments from 40% to 25%. Tariffs were set to expire at the end of 2022.
Animal Care and Well-Being
Pork producers care deeply about the health and well-being of their animals. NPPC advocates for science-based approaches to swine health and production to defend producers’ freedom to operate.
- Led over 50 organizations in support of the Beagle Brigade Act of 2022.
- Lobbied Congress to support the renewal and expansion of key Farm Bill programs that protect the pork industry, including the Foot-and-Mouth-Disease Vaccine Bank, National Animal Health Laboratory Network and National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program.
Production and Commerce
NPPC ensures that programs and policies help, not hinder, production so producers can continue to provide safe and nutritious pork to consumers worldwide.
- In a historic case that will impact farmers across the U.S., NPPC and the American Farm Bureau Federation presented oral arguments to the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) against California Proposition 12. NPPC presented a strong case and awaits a decision in early 2023.
- In addition to robust industry support, NPPC was able to secure the support of both a majority of state Attorney Generals as well as the Biden Administration, who participated at oral arguments before the Supreme Court in support of the U.S. pork industry.
- A coalition of California-based retail and consumer groups that NPPC helped to organize was able to secure an injunction against the implementation of Prop 12, which has now been extended until at least July 1, 2023, to give the U.S. Supreme Court time to issue its final ruling in the challenge against Prop 12.
- Similarly, in New England, NPPC worked with the National Restaurant Association and several New England restaurant and hospitality associations to delay enforcement and implementation of Massachusetts Question 3 (Q3) through a federal court ordered injunction. Q3 is a Massachusetts state law, which is very similar to Prop 12, and as proposed would impact pork supply chains throughout New England and the Northeastern states.
- USDA’s Farm Service Agency modified the Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program eligibility requirements to capture more hog sales, reforms encouraged by NPPC.
- NPPC released a robust economic report to educate and reinforce pork industry contributions to the value chain and overall U.S. economy.
Environmental Social and Governance
From board rooms to bureaucrats and on Wall Street to Main Street, NPPC has been at the forefront of the battle over new Environmental, Social and Governance policies pushed by overzealous regulators and activist groups.
- Played an active role in leading a coalition of 17 organizations fighting against the Biden administration’s EPA’s latest efforts to redraft a definition of Waters of United States that will greatly expand federal authority over farmland and farming activities.
- Organized and led a successful effort to date to prevent the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from finalizing its controversial rules mandating the reporting of climate-related disclosures throughout corporate supply chains.
- Strongly opposed efforts, so far successfully, by powerful members of Congress to impose nationwide moratoriums on future construction of CAFOs.
- NPPC has worked closely with regulators and researchers to better understand the science of air emissions and reject unfounded claims seeking to link pork production to human health impacts.
As we look ahead, we are committed to moving the industry forward in a way that is strategically aligned to advance the needs of pork producers. NPPC will continue to provide advocacy updates throughout 2023 to keep you informed.
More from Farm Journal’s PORK:
ASF in Hispaniola: The Situation is Really, Really Difficult, Delgado Says
Pork Industry Opportunities and Challenges: NPPC Sheds Insight on What’s Ahead
Why You Need to Pay Attention Now to EPA’s Proposed Rodenticide Mitigation Measures
