Get Agriculture’s Input On Fire Standard, Says NPPC

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QUINCY, Mass., Aug. 7, 2012 – In the hometown of a Forefather of American democracy, the National Pork Producers Council argued against animal-rights groups that would deny due process to livestock and poultry farmers who want to have input into national fire standards that would affect their operations.

NPPC today urged the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which sets fire standards adopted by state and local governments and used by insurance companies, to continue working with the agriculture community to develop “sensible solutions” to address fires in animal housing facilities. Animal-rights activists argued against allowing farmers to have a voice in the process. Read more

Lawmakers Ask EPA For Waiver Of Corn-Ethanol Mandate

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WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 2, 2012 – The National Pork Producers Council today praised a group of congressional lawmakers for asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to waive the federal mandate for the production of corn ethanol to help livestock and poultry producers weather the worst drought in more than 50 years.

Led by Reps. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., Steve Womack, R-Ark., and Mike McIntyre, D-N.C., 156 members of the House today asked EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to waive the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) for the rest of the year to “help ease corn supply concerns and protect American consumers, livestock producers, and the economy.”

The lawmakers’ request follows the filing Monday by a coalition of livestock and poultry organizations, including NPPC, of a petition asking EPA to grant in whole or in part a waiver of the RFS for the remainder of 2012 and for part of 2013. Read more

NPPC Trade Policy Report

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Overview

During the first half of 2012, U.S. exports of pork and pork products totaled 1,133,550 metric tons (MT) valued at $3.17 billion, an increase of about 5% by volume and 13% by value compared with the same period for 2011.

Free Trade Agreements

Exports will increase as a result of the implementation of free trade agreements (FTAs) with South Korea, Colombia and Panama. The Korea and Colombia FTAs entered into force in March and May 2012, respectively. The U.S.-Panama FTA is expected to enter into force in the latter half of 2012.

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NPPC Wants Taiwan To Lift Ractopamine Ban

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WASHINGTON, D.C., July 30, 2012 – In a letter sent today to Obama administration trade officials, the National Pork Producers Council expressed its strong objection to re-opening Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) negotiations with Taiwan because of that country’s continued failure to lift a ban on a widely approved dietary additive used in pork production.

The Taiwanese parliament recently voted to ease restrictions on U.S. beef imports from cattle produced with Ractopamine but left the ban in place on pork produced with the same product. Read more

Coalition Urges Waiver Of RFS Because Of Drought Petition Asks EPA for One-Year Waiver of Ethanol Production Mandate

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WASHINGTON, D.C., July 30, 2012 – As drought conditions become the worst in 50 years and corn yields are expected to drop significantly, a coalition of meat and poultry organizations today asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to waive the federal mandate for the production of corn ethanol.

In a petition delivered to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, the coalition asked for a waiver “in whole or in substantial part” of the amount of renewable fuel that must be produced under the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) for the remainder of this year and for the portion of 2013 that is one year from the time the waiver becomes effective. Read more