In a recent Hogs on the Hill blog post, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) highlighted a number of pressing issues that need Congressional attention this fall. Among the priorities is congressional ratification of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) agreement. This would allow the U.S. pork industry to maintain zero-duty market access to two of its largest export markets.
According to NPPC, another top issue for them is continued vigilance to prevent foreign animal disease outbreaks in the U.S. Specifically, the 2018 Farm Bill contained language championed by NPPC to establish permanent, mandatory funding for animal disease prevention and preparedness efforts. This includes a Foot-and-Mouth vaccine bank to quickly contain and eradicate an outbreak. But, USDA has yet to establish the vaccine bank. NPPC will urge Congress to support USDA implementation of the bill as intended to protect the rural economy.