Preventing foreign animal diseases, addressing a shortage of agricultural workers and reauthorizing a livestock price reporting law are the primary issues pork producers are lobbying Congressional members on over the next two days. It’s part of the National Pork Producers Council Legislative Action Conference being held virtually. Minnesota Pork Producers Association CEO Dave Preisler says the clock is ticking on reauthorization of the Livestock Mandatory Price Reporting Act and they hope Congress can at least pass an extension.
Preisler says the industry is also facing an agricultural labor shortage and they are asking lawmakers to consider some reform of the H-2A visa program.
And he says producers will ask their members of Congress to support funding efforts to prepare for and prevent foreign animal diseases, particularly African swine fever. That funding includes additional staff for USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s veterinary services.
Preisler says these aren’t the only issues of concern to pork producers but the failure of Congress to address these matters could threaten their viability.
During the fly-in, producers are expected to hear from Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture, Committee John Boozman and Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar.
