NPPC Statement on Federal Ruling on USDA’s New Swine Inspection Program

The following statement can be attributed to the National Pork Producers Council:

“We are pleased that the federal judge upheld the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) New Swine Inspection System (NSIS) that incentivizes investment in new technologies while ensuring a safe supply of wholesome American pork. Pork producers use science-based approaches to continuously improve and modernize their practices to ensure product quality and consistency and their..."

Pig Farmers to Stand Trial at Supreme Court

On October 11th at the Supreme Court, America’s pork farmers will stand trial.

The formal question before the justices will be the constitutionality of California’s 2018 initiative-passed Proposition 12. If the farmers lose, a state will be allowed to enforce a regulation on out-of-state production methods. Historically, states could regulate only the character and quality of products made elsewhere (via product safety standards, for example), not the means of making them.

But alongside the constitutional question will be public judgment on the morality of American pig farming...

NPPC Hires Mikayla Dolch as New Manager of Marketing and Digital Communications

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is pleased to announce that Mikayla Dolch has joined the organization as its new manager of marketing and digital communications. Dolch will support the expansion and enhancement of NPPC’s digital programming activities.

“As the pork industry evolves, it is important for NPPC to share the stories of how America’s farmers and processors are working to deliver safe and nutritious pork products to consumers across the globe,” said Annemarie Pender, assistant vice president of marketing and communications, NPPC...

NPPC Statement on SCOTUS Reply Brief to Petitioners on California Proposition 12

Attribute statement to Terry Wolters, NPPC president and owner of Stoney Creek Farms in Pipestone, Minnesota

“Today’s filing of our reply brief to petitioners brings the National Pork Producers Council and the American Farm Bureau Federation one step closer to the Supreme Court hearing our case on how California Proposition 12 violates the U. S. Constitution.

“Ironically, California’s Department of Food and Agriculture also announced today it finally completed the Proposition 12 implementation rules, more than three years after the original statutory deadline. This delay unnecessarily exacerbated..."

NPPC Hires Dr. Ashley Johnson as Director of Food Policy

Dr. Ashley Johnson has joined the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) as director of food policy. In her role, she will focus on developing and implementing post-harvest food safety and human nutrition programs and addressing animal care issues in market channels.

“We are excited to have someone like Dr. Johnson join the NPPC team,” said NPPC CEO Bryan Humphreys. “Her wealth of knowledge is a tremendous asset as we help set the direction of the country’s food policies and weigh in on issues that could affect producers’ ability to..."

NPPC Statement on Spot Market Hog Payments

Statement by Terry Wolters, NPPC president and owner of Stoney Creek Farms in Pipestone, Minnesota

“We appreciate FSA’s commitment to providing assistance to those pork producers hit hard by the economic disruptions caused by the pandemic. Producers forced into spot market hog sales are still challenged by the market disruptions of COVID-19, and these funds will contribute to the ongoing recovery of the U.S. pork industry...”

NPPC Supports the Beagle Brigade Act of 2022

Statement by Terry Wolters, NPPC president and owner of Stoney Creek Farms in Pipestone, Minnesota:

“Healthy animals ensure consumers have safe food and allow American producers, their communities, and the U.S. economy to thrive. That is why NPPC joined over 50 organizations spanning the entire agriculture sector in support of the Beagle Brigade Act of 2022. Early detection at our U.S. borders has never been more critical. Training canine teams against threats like animal disease and identifying potentially contaminated products at our nation’s ports of entry is critical..."

New Report Highlights U.S. Pork Industry Contributions to American Jobs and the Economy

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) released a new economic report highlighting how America’s pig farmers are significant contributors to the United States’ agricultural and overall economy. The report highlights pork industry value chain contributions and growth over the past five years.

“This report underscores how the pork industry is an important pillar to the U.S. economy and the positive ripple effect it has on many other important sectors in the American supply chain,” said Holly Cook, NPPC staff economist...

Missouri Attorney General Urges SCOTUS to Overturn Ruling Upholding California’s Prop. 12

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt joined an amicus brief in National Pork Producers Council v. Karen Ross, urging the United States Supreme Court to overturn the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision upholding California’s Proposition 12. California’s Proposition 12 requires states to comply with California regulations on the confinement of breeding pigs, egg-laying hens, and veal calves in order to sell those products in California.

“Under no circumstances should the state of California be allowed to dictate to Missouri farmers and ranchers how they can raise and..."

NPPC Praises Biden Administration for Standing Up for Consumer Choice and American Farmers

The Biden administration, international trading partners and business groups representing the full scope of the U.S. economy, among others, filed amicus briefs in support of the National Pork Producers Council ahead of the Supreme Court case to review California’s Proposition 12. The state law seeks to ban the sale of pork from pigs that do not meet the state’s arbitrary production standards, including pork from pigs raised on farms outside of California.

“We commend the Biden administration for taking action to stop ill-considered ballot initiatives like..."

Pork Industry asks the SEC to Reconsider Climate Disclosure Rules for Farmers

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) filed comments today to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding its controversial reporting requirements proposal on climate-related disclosures for investors.

In its comments, NPPC and other agricultural groups requested that the SEC reconsider its application of burdensome and unnecessary climate disclosure requirements under Scope 3 of the proposed rules. As currently drafted, these requirements would overly burden American farmers, forcing them to take on costly and expensive reporting that will set back farm environmental performance, and would be in...

NPPC Promotes Maria C. Zieba to Vice President of International Affairs

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is pleased to announce the promotion of Maria C. Zieba to vice president of international affairs. She will oversee international trade advocacy efforts on behalf of America’s 60,000 pork producers.

“NPPC recently announced the culmination of a strategic planning and repositioning effort that will drive momentum in shaping the future for the next generation of pork producers and their businesses,” said Bryan Humphreys, NPPC’s chief executive officer. “It’s never been more important to plan for our future, and we are pleased to have..."

NPPC Announces New Organizational Pathway for Change

New leadership, branding and strategic plan set momentum for groundbreaking work on behalf of America’s pork producers

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) today announced the culmination of a strategic planning and repositioning effort that will drive momentum in shaping the future for the next generation of pork producers and their businesses.

Under the direction of new leadership and guided by a long-range strategic plan and additional financial resources, NPPC unveiled a new brand identity to symbolize the organization’s transformation and energized focus on driving growth for the U.S pork industry...

SEC Extends Comment Period on Climate-Reporting Rule

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) was pleased with today’s decision by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to extend the comment period to June 17 on its reporting requirements proposal on climate change-related information from publicly-traded companies and their customers, suppliers, and distributors.

“NPPC thanks Chairman Gensler and the SEC for recognizing the concerns of farmers and the challenges they face in understanding and commenting on the commission’s lengthy Climate Disclosures rule,” said NPPC’s Chief Executive Officer Bryan Humphreys.

The SEC responded to an NPPC-led letter signed by...

Pork Producers Press Politicians on Public Policies

Preparing for and preventing foreign animal diseases, addressing an agricultural labor shortage, and increasing pork exports are the top public-policy issues pork producers will lobby their congressional lawmakers on over the next two days. During the spring Capitol Hill fly-in of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), nearly 100 producers from across the country are expected to participate — in person for the first time in two years — in NPPC’s Legislative Action Conference.

“Challenges facing our industry continue to evolve, and we hope our efforts this week help lawmakers understand..."

Pender Leads NPPC Public Policy Communications

Annemarie Pender has been hired by the National Pork Producers Council as assistant vice president for marketing and communications. She began her duties today, working out of NPPC’s Washington, DC, public policy office.

“Annemarie is a strategic thinker with 15-plus years of experience, developing and implementing integrated communications and marketing strategies,” said NPPC CEO Bryan Humphreys. “She’ll be a tremendous asset to NPPC as we look to create a more coordinated marketing and communications plan for the pork industry.”

A native of Florida, Pender received a bachelor’s degree in history from...

Adams to be New NPPC Congressional Relations Manager

The National Pork Producers Council has hired Chase Adams as manager of congressional relations in its Washington, DC, public policy office. He joins Jack Frye on the organization’s lobbying team.

“Chase has a lot of experience in the livestock public policy field, so he’ll be a great asset to NPPC,” said NPPC CEO Bryan Humphreys. “He’s spent his career in agriculture, advocating on behalf of producers and telling their stories. We’re glad to have him on our team.”

A South Dakota native who grew up on the family ranch, Adams received...

Pork Industry Priorities Included in Spending Bill

Congress in early March approved a $1.5 trillion fiscal 2022 budget bill, which keeps government programs running through Sept. 30 and has $730 billion for non-defense spending, including $25.1 billion for agricultural programs, mostly for USDA, with significant amounts dedicated to addressing foreign animal diseases (FADs).

Thanks to the advocacy efforts of NPPC — literally hounding lawmakers about appropriating adequate funds to prevent, prepare for and respond to FADs and arguing for other priorities — Congress listened, giving the pork industry almost everything it requested.

It’s been a difficult Congress to...

Supreme Court to Hear NPPC Case Against Prop 12

The U.S. Supreme Court at its Mar. 25 conference agreed to hear a case brought by the National Pork Producers Council and the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) against California’s Proposition 12, which bans the sale of pork from hogs born to sows that weren’t raised according to the state’s “arbitrary” production standards.

“We are extremely pleased that the Supreme Court will consider the constitutionality of Proposition 12, in which California seeks to impose regulations targeting farming practices outside its borders that would stifle interstate and international commerce..." 

Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program Eligibility Broadened

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced it has modified the Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program (SMHPP) eligibility requirements to capture more hog sales. The program — announced last year — provides payments to pork producers who made spot market transactions between April 16 and Sept. 1, 2020.

The clarified eligibility requirements expand the agency’s interpretation of “spot market sales” and “sale to a packer” to better reflect the nontraditional types of transactions made during that period, including sales to dealers, cull markets, meat lockers, intermediaries and others.

“The changes to SMHPP..."

NPPC Elects New Officers, Board Members

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) today installed new officers and elected members to its board of directors at its annual business meeting — the National Pork Industry Forum — held here.

Terry Wolters of Pipestone, Minnesota, was elevated to president of the organization for 2022-2023. Wolters owns Stoney Creek Farms, which consists of several sow farms, and is a partner in the Pipestone System. He also is a member of Wholestone Farms and is active in the Pipestone County Pork Producers Association, Minnesota Pork Producers Association, South Dakota Pork Producers Council and the Minnesota...

Dierks Inducted into Pork Industry Hall of Fame

For his 40 years serving U.S. pork producers, including 20 years as CEO of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and his dedication and countless contributions to the pork industry, Neil Dierks today was inducted into the National Pork Industry Hall of Fame at NPPC’s annual business meeting — the National Pork Industry Forum — held here.

Dierks, who retired in December 2021 after 31 years with NPPC, helped develop the organization that was born after the separation agreement that created the National Pork Board. He became the first CEO of the reconstituted NPPC...

Forseth New NPPC Director of Animal Health

The National Pork Producers Council has hired Dr. Anna Forseth for the newly created position of director of animal health. She will focus on foreign animal disease prevention and preparedness, as well as antibiotic use and resistance issues.

“We welcome Dr. Forseth to the NPPC team,” said NPPC CEO Bryan Humphreys. “She has a wealth of knowledge about hogs and swine diseases and a great background in swine research. We know she will be a great asset to and resource for the U.S. pork industry.”

A Montana native who grew...

Higher Wages, Input Costs, Supply Chain Problems Affecting Pork Prices, Not 'Concentration'

In a report issued today, economists with Iowa State University, North Carolina State University and the National Pork Producers Council found that pork prices have risen because of strong demand for U.S. pork, higher input costs and labor shortages throughout the supply chain, not concentration in the meatpacking industry. The report’s authors, Iowa State’s Dermot Hayes, NC State’s Barry Goodwin and NPPC’s Holly Cook, also found that pork prices in the United States are still lower than in many other countries.

The pork packing industry is made...

Nigeria Opens Market to Some U.S. Pork

The United States now can export sausage and similar products to Nigeria, which yesterday announced it is partially opening its market to U.S. pork. The National Pork Producers Council welcomed the move by the West African nation.

“Nigeria has the largest GDP of any African country, with a population of just over 211 million, we are excited to be the first U.S. protein to be allowed access to the Nigerian market,” said NPPC President Jen Sorenson. “NPPC thanks the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for..."

India to Open Market for U.S. Pork

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) today applauded the U.S. and Indian government’s announcement to allow imports of U.S. pork and pork products into India, the world’s second-most populous nation.

“After decades of work, a market that had been closed to U.S. pork is being opened,” said NPPC President Jen Sorenson. “NPPC thanks the Biden administration for reaching an agreement with India on market access for our products. We look forward to the new access, which will allow us to provide affordable, wholesome and nutritious U.S. pork products to consumers in India...”

Pork Industry Grooms Future Leaders

The National Pork Producers Council and the National Pork Board have kicked off the 2022 class of Pork Leadership Institute (PLI), a jointly funded and organized training curriculum designed to develop future leaders for the U.S. pork industry.

The comprehensive, year-long program consists of five learning sessions, running from February to November. Selected participants are educated on the legislative and regulatory processes, the importance of international trade, the roles of the national pork organizations and their state pork associations, and the issues facing producers. They also are trained to be spokespeople for the pork...

Massachusetts Delays Effective Date of Question 3

Following approval by the Massachusetts Legislature, Gov. Charlie Baker today signed into law a compromise measure delaying until Aug. 15, 2022, implementation of the state’s Question 3 initiative to prohibit the sale of pork that doesn’t meet new prescriptive animal production standards. The National Pork Producers Council, which worked tirelessly to secure this much-needed solution for pork producers and the entire pork supply chain, applauded the legislative relief.

The 2016 ballot initiative – similar to California’s Proposition 12 – will ban the sale of pork from hogs born to sows housed in pens that...

Wages, Input Costs & Supply Chain Problems Pushing Up Pork Prices, Not Profits

In a report issued today on retail pork prices economists with Iowa State University, North Carolina State University and the National Pork Producers Council found that pork prices, not industry profits, are rising. Prices are rising due to increased transportation costs, supply bottlenecks and delays and increased labor costs throughout the pork chain. Those factors, said Iowa State’s Dermot Hayes, NC State’s Barry Goodwin and NPPC’s Holly Cook, were either caused or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other factors that have affected prices up and down the...

National Pork Producers Council Hires New Chief Executive Officer

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) announced Bryan Humphreys has been chosen as the organization’s new chief executive officer, effective Dec. 21, 2021, following the retirement of long-time leader Neil Dierks. Humphreys brings with him years of experience in the pork industry, including as a former NPPC employee, state association executive and National Pork Board senior vice president, as well as outside the industry as a campaign operative, lobbyist and business owner.

“I am honored to have been chosen to lead NPPC as its CEO and continue..."

Pork Producers Lobby Lawmakers on Issues

Preventing foreign animal diseases, addressing a shortage of agricultural workers and reauthorizing a livestock price reporting law are the primary issues on which pork producers will lobby their congressional lawmakers over the next two days, during the fall Capitol Hill fly-in of the National Pork Producers Council. More than 100 producers from across the country are expected to participate virtually in NPPC’s Legislative Action Conference.

“These are critical but by no means the only issues of concern to U.S. pork producers,” said NPPC President Jen Sorenson, communications director for Iowa Select Farms in...

Waiver from Trucking Federal Rule Extended

The National Pork Producers Council today thanked the Biden administration, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Meera Joshi, deputy administrator of DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for extending to Feb. 28, 2022, a waiver for commercial truckers from the federal Hours of Service regulation.

The HOS rule limits truckers to 11 hours of driving time and 14 consecutive hours of on-duty time in any 24-hour period and requires prescribed rest periods.

At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 and prompted by NPPC’s efforts to ensure pork producers could...

Vietnam Confirms Tariff Cut on U.S. Pork

Vietnam has confirmed it will lower its Most Favored Nation (MFN) tariff on imported frozen pork to 10 from 15 percent. The reduction is expected to be implemented on July 1, 2022. Getting better market access to Vietnam, a major pork-consuming country, has been a top trade priority for the National Pork Producers Council.

Late last year, NPPC Assistant Vice President of International Affairs Maria Zieba testified on the importance to U.S. pork producers of the Vietnamese market and urged the Trump administration not to impose U.S. tariffs on goods from Vietnam...

NPPC Applauds USDA Decision To Allow Faster Line Speeds

The National Pork Producers Council today commended the U.S. Department of Agriculture for allowing some pork packing plants to run faster line speeds, a move that could increase packing capacity and alleviate supply issues in the face of strong demand.

“We’re very pleased with USDA’s proposal to let certain plants run at higher line speeds, which will allow more hogs to be harvested and more pork to get to consumers,” said NPPC President Jen Sorenson. “This is particularly important now given the strong demand for pork, supply chain problems and our...”

NPPC’s Neil Dierks to Receive USMEF Distinguished Service Award

Neil Dierks, chief executive officer of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), has been selected to receive the U.S. Meat Export Federation’s (USMEF) Distinguished Service Award. Created in 1991, the award honors outstanding figures who exemplify the exceptional dedication responsible for the red meat industry’s success in building global demand for U.S. pork, beef and lamb. It will be presented Nov. 11 at the USMEF Strategic Planning Conference in Carlsbad, Calif.

Dierks has served in several senior roles at NPPC since 1990, but noted that his initial interaction with...

NPPC Congratulates Rod Snyder on EPA Appointment

The National Pork Producers Council today applauds the political appointment of Rod Snyder as senior adviser for agriculture to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan. Snyder, a long-time friend of agriculture and the pork industry, has worked at the intersection of agriculture and environmental issues for nearly two decades, most recently serving as president of Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture.

The following statement can be attributed to NPPC President Jen Sorenson...