In comments submitted last week to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) highlighted the efficiency gains made by U.S. pork producers that has brought about significant greenhouse gas reductions and made the sector a global model for environmental sustainability.
NPPC wrote, “As it considers federal environmental policies, it is critical that USDA recognize the role of science and innovative technologies in achieving efficiencies that will allow U.S. agriculture to further reduce its footprint. We encourage USDA to fully support and advance these efficiencies and the science behind achieving them. In doing so, we can meet U.S. and worldwide demand for nutritious pork and other meat proteins without compromising environmental objectives.”
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, only 0.4% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are attributable to U.S. pork production.
NPPC supports a number of efforts to increase efficiency efforts and further reduce pork producers’ climate footprint, including voluntary, incentive-based tools to maximize the sequestration of carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions.
A copy of NPPC’s comments is available here.