The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is keeping busy working on behalf of U.S pork producers. Cody McKinley, NPPC vice president of operations and state and national relations, said he is grateful for all of the pork producers who continue to show up and engage in industry events, despite the challenges the industry is facing now.
“We want to make sure that we take every idea, that we take every concern back to the team and to the board of directors to be able to turn over every rock,” McKinley said. “We want to hear your ideas and try to process them as best we can and make some of them come to fruition.”
He shared some of the key issues NPPC is working on now during his presentation at the Illinois Pork Expo on Jan. 30.
1. Farm labor
Agriculture suffers from a severe labor shortage that negatively impacts all aspects of the pork industry. In fact, pork industry employment has declined since 2021 despite higher wages and competitive benefits.
“Any labor reform legislation must improve the H-2A visa program to provide visa access to year-round industries,” he said.
2. Farm bill
NPPC continued to seek funding in the farm bill for the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank to stockpile a large number of vaccine doses and manufacturing capacity, he pointed out. As well, NPPC is pushing for continued funding of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program and the National Veterinary Stockpile. They are also asking for an increase in funding for feral swine eradication program and the National Detector Dog Training Center.
3. Trade
In 2022, the U.S. exported over $7.6 billion worth of pork to more than 100 countries, resulting in more than $61 in value from each hog marketed. To grow exports, the U.S. must open new and expand existing markets by removing trade barriers, he said.
4. California Proposition 12
NPPC continues to support a federal solution to a state-by-state patchwork that could result from the SCOTUS decision on Proposition 12.
“We know that animal activists are looking at other initiatives that will challenge us as an industry and make it more difficult for us to access some of those markets,” McKinley said.
5. Section 32 Pork Purchases
Section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1935 authorizes the USDA to support the prices of commodities in surplus by purchasing them in the marketplace and distributing them domestically. Every year, USDA buys commodities for federal food programs, including school breakfast and lunch programs.
Agricultural Marketing Service announced purchases of $50.1 million in May 2023 and $25 million in December 2023, he noted.
“For us on the demand side, we’re continuing to work with USDA on agricultural purchases in the Section 32 program to identify additional opportunities to support U.S. pork producers during challenging market conditions,” he said.
6. Line speeds
Six pork processing establishments are currently operating at higher line speeds under the time-limited trial.
“We did get an extension of this, which is going to be running out soon. It just got extended on Nov. 28 for 90 days,” he said. “We know the clock is ticking and hope for them to announce soon.”
7. Traceability standards
Last year, a taskforce was put together to help develop traceability standards for the pork industry. A Swine Traceability Standards plan will be voted on at the 2024 Pork Industry Forum. If approved, NPPC will submit it to USDA for consideration.
“It takes some time to review the standards and understand them,” he said. “Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have.”
But that’s not all NPPC is working on, McKinley said. Other big topics include GIPSA rules, EPA CAFO Committee, antibiotic use, NFPA sprinkler requirements and packing plant effluent limits.
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Helping Pork Producers Fight to See Another Day
Pork Outlook is Better, But Not Good, Meyer Says
“The Pig Lady” Takes Over the Reins for Illinois Pork Industry
JoBeth Matli Named 2024 Illinois Pork Ambassador
Illinois Pork Producers Association Honors the 2024 Family of the Year
