A federal district court ruling striking down faster harvest facility inspection speeds allowed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s New Swine Inspection System (NSIS) goes into effect today, June 30. The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) urges the Biden administration to file an appeal before the August 31 deadline.
NPPC says this damaging ruling will quickly lead to increased pork industry concentration and packer market power, and seeks waivers for the impacted plants until a longer-term solution, acceptable to all industry stakeholders, is realized.
According to an analysis by Iowa State University Economist Dr. Dermot Hayes, the ruling eliminates 2.5 percent of pork packing plant capacity nationwide and will result in $80 million in reduced income for small U.S. hog farmers this year alone.
Last week, more than 70 lawmakers sent letters asking Agriculture Secretary Vilsack and Acting Solicitor General Prelogar to appeal the court decision.
For U.S. pork producer testimony about the impact of the court’s decision on their farm operations, click here.