USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) inspectors and agency employees who produce the twice-daily livestock price reports remain on the job despite the ongoing government shutdown.
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), early last year, strongly urged Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to deem as essential FSIS meat inspectors and the Agricultural Marketing Service staff responsible for operating and administering the Livestock Mandatory Reporting program, including Market News, which includes information on pricing, contracting for purchase, supply-and-demand conditions for livestock, livestock production and livestock products.
Also continuing during the shutdown are USDA’s purchases of pork and other commodities, part of the Trump administration’s assistance program for America’s farmers suffering from ongoing trade disputes. NPPC notes that U.S. pork producers are the largest beneficiary of the program.