By Jamie Martin
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) achieved significant victories in the House Agriculture Committee's 2024 Farm Bill. The bill, which outlines agricultural policy for the next five years, includes provisions critical to the pork industry. These measures address export promotion, disease prevention, and more, reflecting the council’s lobbying efforts.
Key provisions in the bill include tackling the challenges posed by California’s Proposition 12, which restricts pork sales based on production standards. The bill also proposes to double the funding for the USDA’s Market Access Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program, enhancing U.S. pork exports.
Additionally, the bill allocates substantial funds for combating foreign animal diseases, with $233 million earmarked annually for various programs including the National Animal Health Laboratory Network and the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank.
The legislation also formalizes the USDA’s National Detector Dog Training Center, crucial for detecting agricultural contraband at U.S. ports, and boosts the federal Feral Swine Eradication Program.
This comprehensive inclusion of pork industry priorities in the Farm Bill underscores the effective advocacy of the NPPC and its influence in shaping agricultural policy to support U.S. pork producers.
Photo Credit: national-pork-producers-council
Categories: National