Producer Losses at $2.2 Billion Since March 1 The National Pork Producers called for a swift resolution of the United States-China trade dispute, paving the way for increased U.S. pork exports to the world’s largest pork-consuming nation. According to Iowa State University Economist Dermot Hayes, U.S. pork producers have lost $2.2 billion on an annualized basis due to events leading up to and following China’s 25 percent punitive tariffs in retaliation for U.S. tariffs on aluminum and steel. …
NPPC: Oppose Brat-Blumenauer Farm Bill Rider
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is urging House lawmakers to oppose an amendment to the 2018 Farm Bill that would gut the federally authorized commodity research and promotion programs, commonly known as checkoffs. NPPC joined more than 40 agricultural organizations on a letter sent to House Agriculture Committee Chairman Michael Conaway, R-Texas, and Ranking Member Collin Peterson, D-Minn., asking …
USTR To Review Thailand’s GSP Trade Benefits
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has agreed with a request from the National Pork Producers Council to review Thailand’s eligibility for the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program because of that country’s failure to provide access to its market for U.S. products, including pork. NPPC, which last month filed a GSP review petition with USTR, is …
Reform Needed for Ag Guest Worker Program
Farm groups are pressing lawmakers to reform the ag guest worker program, despite dwindling prospects for such measures, after more sweeping immigration reform failed. The American Farm Bureau Federation, National Pork Producers Council and others had hoped House ag guest worker reform was hitched to a huge spending bill passed in March. But, that bid failed when broader immigration reforms …
Groups on House Agriculture Committee Approving 2018 Farm Bill
American Farm Bureau Federation: The following may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “The 2018 Farm Bill is ready for debate and amendments a mere six days after its introduction. A vote by the full House of Representatives is expected to soon follow. This is great news for farmers and ranchers everywhere. H.R. 2 – The …
Argentina Market Now Open To U.S. Pork
With strong support and input from the National Pork Producers Council, the United States and Argentina this week finalized an export certificate that allows the U.S. pork industry to ship product to the South American country. “Argentina has tremendous potential for U.S. pork exports,” said NPPC President Jim Heimerl, a pork producer from Johnstown, Ohio. “This is great news for …
Pork Producers to Visit Washington D.C. this Week
On April 11-12, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) will host its spring Legislative Action Conference (LAC) in Washington, D.C. The biannual fly-in draws from around the country about 125 pork producers. Producers will lobby congressional lawmakers on issues of importance to the U.S. pork industry, including the importance of maintaining and expanding export opportunities, and funding a Foot-and-Mouth Disease …
Loss Of Foreign Workers Would Hurt Agriculture
Given a tight labor market, particularly in rural areas, the loss of foreign-born workers would lead to a drop in agricultural jobs, according to a study commissioned by the National Pork Producers Council. Economists with Iowa State University (ISU), using a study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, determined that a reduction in the foreign-born workforce – …
Chinese Retaliation On U.S. Pork Exports Will Harm The Rural Economy
The National Pork Producers Council warned that possible Chinese tariffs on U.S. pork could have a significant negative impact on rural America. China has indicated it will impose the duties in response to U.S. tariffs and restrictions – being placed on a host of Chinese goods. “We sell a lot of pork to China, so higher tariffs on our exports …
House Committee Seeking Reauthorization of Animal Drug Legislation
Lawmakers are seeking to renew the Animal Drug User Fee Act and the Animal Generic Drug User Fee Amendments, set to expire later this year. Last week, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health discussed reauthorization of the regulations that expires September 30th. Both grant the Food and Drug Administration permission to collect fees from the makers of new …