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NPPC president outlines organization’s priorities

The National Pork Producers Council president says getting a legislative fix for Proposition 12 remains the organization’s top priority. Duane Stateler of Ohio tells Brownfield, “We’ve got to stop the patchwork.”

He says more Prop 12-like initiatives are being considered by voters in other states. “We just can’t have disruptions in the marketplace from every different state having a different rule to meet,” he says. “That’s a big thing for us.”

He says preventing foreign animal disease outbreaks is also a priority, which means securing funding for animal health programs in a five-year farm bill. “To keep funding for the National Animal Health Laboratory Network and the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response program,” he says.  “And to maintain that National Veterinary Stockpile.  In case we ever had a foreign animal disease come into the country, we are prepared.”

Stateler says adopting the US Swine Health Improvement Plant (US SHIP), is an additional way to safeguard the U.S. pork industry.  US SHIP is a proposed voluntary program to improve biosecurity, traceability, and disease surveillance for swine health.  It is currently in the rulemaking process.  

AUDIO: Duane Stateler, Ohio pork producers, NPPC president