Pork Producers Reignite Push for ‘Skinny’ Farm Bill, Federal Fix for Prop-12

While the 2018 Farm Bill received an extension under the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” Act, the National Pork Producers Council wants lawmakers to do more to support the sector.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) —Pork producers are renewing the push for an updated Farm Bill in the next few months. While the 2018 legislation got another extension from the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” Act (OBBBA), the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) want lawmakers to do more to support the agriculture industry.

NPPC’s former President Lori Stevermer told RFD-TV News a new Farm Bill would address several issues in the pork sector, including California’s Prop 12, a problem for producers with impacts far beyond the state’s borders.

“We have talked about the Farm Bill a number of times, and it’s been the one issue that’s been across my whole time on the board,” Stevermer said. “We’re still hopeful that there’s going to be a skinny farm bill yet. [House Ag Committee] Chairman [Glen “GT”] Thompson has been very supportive of the pork industry. He wants a ‘skinny’ Farm Bill. And you know, just as a reminder, that’s where our federal solution for Prop 12 is in that -- so we’re hoping there’s some type of preemption -- because really, once again, our farmers are concerned about that patchwork of regulations. So, if there is no Farm Bill, if nothing happens, then that’s the concern that each state will create its own type of production standard or production regulations, and then our farmers are stuck working with that patchwork.”

The latest extension of the 2018 Farm Bill was signed into law over the summer and runs through next September.

Related Stories
Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and Kansas congressman Dan Glickman joined RFD News to share his outlook on agricultural policy, bipartisan cooperation, and the challenges facing farmers today.
The bill has already cleared the House Agriculture Committee and is headed toward a full House vote, but the timeline for final passage remains unclear. But the question is, when exactly? Could it possibly be a nice little gift for Easter?
National Pork Producers Council incoming president Rob Brenneman shares insights from the National Pork Industry Forum in Kansas City, where producers gathered to discuss Farm Bill policy, sustainability, and other priorities for the year ahead.
USDA’s March WASDE report leaves U.S. corn, soybean and wheat ending stocks unchanged while adjusting global production estimates for South America.
USDA Under Secretary Richard Fordyce says the department stands ready to provide technical assistance with the Farm Bill if Congress requests it.
Strong consumer demand supports livestock market outlook.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Cottage cheese sales are on the rise across the U.S., and industry leaders believe interest on social media is contributing to the surge in consumer demand.
A new proposal from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) could transform how farmers use drones, allowing commercial operators to fly beyond their visual line of sight.
“USDA can no longer keep wasting its time and personnel to deploy Commissioner Miller’s infamous traps, which USDA has deployed, tested, and has proven ineffective.”
Even in this strong market, some beef producers are leaving money on the table by not following proven marketing practices.
New U.S. fees on Chinese-owned and built ships took effect overnight, marking the latest escalation in maritime trade tensions between Washington and Beijing.