By all accounts, the 2010 World Pork Expo was a success. Improved prices made for an upbeat atmosphere for both producers and exhibitors. Here is a snapshot overview of the news from industry leaders at the Expo:
- Sam Carney, President of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and a long-time friend welcomed everyone to the event, at which they expected 15,000 visitors from 23-27 countries, 400 exhibitors, and 1,700 pigs for exhibition in the open show.
- R.C. Hunt, NPPC Vice-President and a producer from North Carolina, discussed the 2012 Farm Bill. He said a committee made up of NPPC board members and other producers has been established to consider the Bill make recommendations. He also talked about the USDA/Department of Justice hearings that have taken place this year. “We’re listening and we’re learning,” he said. “We don’t need more regulations or legislation that hinders producers.”
- Bob Dykhuis, NPPC Board Member and pork producer from Holland, Mich. Reported on the Food Safety Enhancement Act #2479, saying it protects producers by keeping FDA from coming to the farm. The Senate #619 bill, Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (PAMTA) would require extensive traceability from farm to fork, but has an exemption for small farms. Dykhuis said that pork producers are urging Congress to strengthen the system but shouldn’t burden producers. On animal identification, Dykhuis said NPPC will continue to fight for funding for animal ID, but if the Ag Appropriations bill does not get passed in time, the $5 million allocated for animal ID won’t be increased, and that amount is not enough to fund the program. “The Pork Board and USDA are looking at more of a surveillance program that can be funded through other mechanisms,” he said.
- Howard Hill, NPPC Board Member and veterinarian discussed PAMTA also, stating lawmakers are passionate on both sides of the issue, but the bill could curtail pork producers’ use of antibiotics. A recent report from two respected groups, one of which is the National Institute of Medicine, concluded “there is no defending science linking antibiotic use in livestock to antibiotic resistance in humans. Decisions should be based on scientific risk analyses, not on emotion,” said Hill. When antibiotics are used for growth promotion, the amounts are minute – less than a teaspoon per ton of feed. The vast majority of producers are very conscientious about how they use antibiotics, and NPPC uses the “Take Care” program to further educate producers and veterinarians. Hill feels there is no question veterinarians will play a larger role in how antibiotics are used in the future, but “it is important that producers maintain the ability to use antibiotics for prevention and control of disease.” Hill also referred to the Child Nutrition Act #3307 in the House (it has not gone to the Senate yet). “The hang-up is how it will be funded,” he stated, “and NPPC wants to make sure there aren’t provisions put in this bill that would adversely affect producers. We’ll be watching this bill very closely.
- Don Butler, Immediate Past President of NPPC with Murphy-Brown in North Carolina talked about trade: “Last year there were $4.3 billion in pork products exported. It has added $38 per head. President Obama has pledged to double exports over four years, and we support this.” Butler noted there were three pending Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) that have been fully negotiated but have not been signed: Columbia, Panama and South Korea. “These FTAs will create jobs here in the United States,” said Butler. “We’ll lose the opportunity to export additional product, but we will also be completely out of those markets because they [other countries] are negotiating agreements with other trading partners.” When asked what it will take to get the ball rolling on these FTAs, Butler said organized labor interests have curtailed their progress. “It’s likely nothing will happen until after the election,” he noted. Butler also discussed China and Brazil, and the need to keep trade relations reciprocal.
Be sure to look for our video interviews with Sam Carney, Howard Hill, and other producers and exhibitors at the 2010 World Pork Expo.
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