Nearly 150 pork producers from across the country traveled to Washington D.C. pressing lawmakers on issues they say are critical to the future of the U.S. pork industry. The producers, representing nearly 30 states, took part in the National Pork Producers Council‘s Fall Legislative Action Conference. The top priority during this conference was a new farm bill that includes a fix for California’s Proposition 12.
Producers also asked Congress to expand the H-2A Agricultural Visa Program to allow year-round workers, giving livestock producers greater access to foreign-born agricultural labor. They urged lawmakers to continue supporting the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement and called for continued funding and federal advisory committee for the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan. During their time in Washington, producers received congressional updates from Representative Glenn “G.T.” Thompson of Pennsylvania.
The group also met with USDA officials and hosted the annual Bacon Fest congressional reception. The National Pork Producers Council says the fly-in gives producers a chance to share their concerns directly with lawmakers and highlight the pork industry’s contributions to communities across the country.
Audio Reporting by Elizabeth Sanders for Southeast AgNet.