USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service has announced it will approve the $ 3 million annual payment by the National Pork Board to the National Pork Producers Council for a trademark purchase. NPPC President John Weber says it’s for the Pork, the Other White Meat slogan and icon and he’s pleased with the decision.

The approval comes as the Humane Society of the United States is challenging USDA’s approval of the Pork the Other White Meat trademark in court. Weber says the Ag Marketing Service found the value of the trademark exceeds the value of the original purchase price which is what his group knew all along.

Weber says NPPC will continue working with the USDA as the court case moves ahead.

Earlier NPPC and the Pork Board put pressure on the USDA which was thought to be in settlement negotiations with HSUS regarding the court case earlier this year to mount a strong and vigorous defense of the purchase agreement.