The National Pork Producers Council hosted a webinar Sept. 9 to talk about policy issues facing the industry, including the ongoing efforts for a new farm bill and foreign animal disease prevention.
NPPC CEO Bryan Humphreys said it is an important time for the industry.
“There are a number of challenges and opportunities that face us out there,” he said. “The U.S. remains a global leader in pork production. … We are working to keep producers in business, and provide a safe, healthy supply for consumers.”
A new farm bill is the top policy priority for the organization.
“We need a farm bill now,” Humphreys said. “We don’t need to be talking about an extension. We need to be talking about a new farm bill in 2024.”
NPPC president Lori Stevermer, who raises pigs in Minnesota, said the industry needs a farm bill this year otherwise the progress the House ag committee has made on the legislation will go back to square one with a new Congress.
“We know it’s hard, but we elect members of Congress to do the hard work,” she said. “If the farm bill goes to next year, it starts all over again.”
Humphreys and the pork producers who serve as NPPC officers said they are looking for a farm bill with effective risk management programs for producers, support for animal disease outbreak prevention efforts and to address California Prop 12, a ballot measure passed by voters in that state that sets requirements on how pigs can be raised for their pork to be sold in California.
“We need a legislative fix to California Prop 12,” Humphreys said.
NPPC vice president Rob Brenneman, who raises pigs in Iowa, said Congress has the power to regulate interstate commerce and can address Prop 12.
“We can’t have 48 different ways to raise pigs,” he said. “It would not be efficient. Prop 12 has definitely raised costs and it has no scientific basis behind it.”
Stevermer said the organization is hoping for a federal solution through the next farm bill.
The pork producers also highlighted some positive developments in the industry, even as producers have faced tough economic conditions in recent years.
“Exports have been a bright spot over the last year,” Stevermer said. “That’s our strength.”
Brenneman said the industry is also very efficient and has had a lot of success in climate and environmental efforts.
“The pork industry’s been addressing these challenges for the last 50 years,” he said. “Our pigs are more efficient, more environmentally friendly. We utilize all the waste as fertilizer, which is a natural fertilizer. We also have more pigs per litter. … Everything we’ve done has increased sustainability.”
The producers spoke about challenges they are facing, and the need for risk management tools to help navigate the markets and costs.
“I think it’s very important that you protect LRP (Livestock Risk Protection),” Brenneman said. “I think it’s important that we protect all our opportunities to manage risk.”
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