National Pork Producers Council

NPPC’s top priority is a new COVID congressional relief package that includes much-needed financial assistance to U.S. pork producers in crisis. With Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) expected to unveil the next COVID package next week, NPPC is holding a media teleconference on Monday, July 20 to outline the current state of the crisis for hog farmers and the critical importance of the RELIEF for Producers Act, introduced earlier this month in the Senate. The press conference will feature NPPC President Howard “AV” Roth, a hog farmer from Wauzeka, Wis., and Dr. Steve Meyer, an economist with Kerns & Associates.

In related news, Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman John Hoeven (R-N.D.) said on Wednesday he expects agriculture to be included in the next COVID package. Hoeven anticipates the new relief effort to expand the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which among provisions provided $1.6 billion in direct payments to hog farmers. “The CFAP was a good step in helping producers weather the challenges of COVID-19. However, the pandemic’s impacts will continue to be felt over the long-term. Ensuring our producers can maintain their operations through these difficulties remains a top priority,” he said.