The Time Has Come to Pass the Farmer Bill, Say Pig Farmers
U.S. pig producers are among the many agricultural groups impacted by worsening economic conditions. The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) sent a letter on September 9 to congressional leaders, urging them to pass the agricultural bill before the end of the year, in collaboration with over 300 national and state groups. Producers across the country have faced challenges stemming from delays in agricultural legislation, which range from severe weather conditions to high input costs and supply chain disruptions due to uncertain global demand.
Duane Stateler, newly elected president of the NPPC, emphasized the importance of moving forward promptly during a media briefing on Monday, stating, “Given all this stress on farmers, it is crucial that we seize this opportunity and make progress immediately.”
The agricultural bill is typically passed every five years and provides support for national farmers, ranchers, and forest stewards through various safety nets, credits, protections, and other critical programs. It was legally scheduled for reauthorization in 2023, but Congress decided last November to extend the current legislation until September 30, 2024. Since then, leaders from both the Senate and House Agriculture Committees have been working to advance the bill.
“If we are uncertain about what we will face, it will be even more challenging to conclude the legislation in 2024. Therefore, we must finalize the bill in 2024,” NPPC president Lori Stevermer stated during the briefing.
Stakeholders in the U.S. agricultural communities are arriving in the capital this week to advocate for the passage of the agricultural bill, emphasizing the need for a robust agricultural safety net. Farmers and their allies noted that the recent hardships have highlighted areas of the agricultural law that need strengthening.
“The 2024 Farm Bill represents a golden opportunity for U.S. pork producers regarding one of the biggest challenges, California Prop 12,” said Stevermer. Proposition 12, which was a 2018 California referendum, bans the sale of pork not produced according to the state’s arbitrary housing sizes for pigs.
The initiative imposes the cost and compliance burden on pig producers and puts the industry at significant risk of consolidation. The U.S. Supreme Court has indicated that this issue should be addressed by Congress, and the NPPC is calling for a federal solution on Prop 12 as part of the agricultural bill.
“It’s not about going down the wrong path, but rather how we proceed forward,” said NPPC CEO Bryan Humphreys. “That’s why we appreciate the bipartisan solution in the agricultural bill that will provide protection for the U.S. from these patchwork regulations.”
Rob Brenneman, a pig producer in Iowa, is among those adapting part of his production to meet the requirements of Prop 12.
Source: Tarım Haberleri
John Peterson graduated with a degree in Agricultural Sciences from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. His specialization is in sustainable crop production and soil health management. John is passionate about integrating modern technology with traditional farming methods to enhance productivity while preserving the environment. He currently works as a consultant, helping farmers adopt sustainable practices.