U.S. pork industry champions sustainability, confronts regulatory challenges in Capitol Hill visit

Leaders of the American pork industry descended upon the Nation’s capitol this week, seeking to engage with lawmakers on the vital issues addressed in the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill. At the forefront of their agenda is the battle against what they perceive as outdated and counterproductive regulations.

Leaders of the American pork industry descended upon the Nation’s capitol this week, seeking to engage with lawmakers on the vital issues addressed in the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill. At the forefront of their agenda is the battle against what they perceive as outdated and counterproductive regulations.

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) has articulated a clear vision, emphasizing the pork industry’s commitment to climate-smart practices.

“I think pork right now is climate-smart,” said Michael Formica, the NPPC’s Chief Legal Strategist. “We have a very low environmental footprint as a protein source. However, our progress in the climate arena is and will continue to be challenged by regressive laws pushed by activists. Nevertheless, producers diligently work every day to minimize inefficiencies on their farms, maximize the value of their pork, and create a closed-loop system.”

One of the most significant challenges faced by the pork industry this year has been Proposition 12, a piece of California legislation that has reverberated throughout the sector, creating waves of uncertainty. President of the Minnesota Pork Producers Association Dary Timmerman expressed his hope that Congress can establish a cohesive framework to prevent the proliferation of conflicting laws in the future.

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