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Pork group outlines farm bill priorities

A regional director for the National Pork Producers Council, serving Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin, says securing farm bill funds for foreign animal disease prevention and preparedness remains a top priority for the organization.

Staff member Luke Wall tells Brownfield there are also other priorities. “Open up trade agreements. It is very key for our producers as a quarter of our product does get exported as well, and also, Prop 12 resolution (with) a preemption in the farm bill.”

Wall says NPPC continues to work with House Ag Committee Chairman Thompson to find a solution for Proposition 12, California’s law regulating how farm animals are confined and prohibiting the sale of meat and eggs from anywhere that doesn’t follow the state’s guidelines. “There’s going to be some sort of language included when that farm bill leaves the House. He had pencils down there a few months ago. We believe that that is drafted. We thought there might be a preview of what’s been drafted in that farm bill but we’re confident in the House side and continuing to work with the Senate side.”

Wall says the organization is waiting for draft language for the farm bill to be released.