Nearly 150 pork producers travelled to Washington, DC, for the National Pork Producers Council's Legislative Action Conference to put their case to lawmakers in person. Between them they visited about 175 congressional offices on behalf of more than 60,000 producers nationwide.

The issue at the top of the list was California's Proposition 12, the state law that sets its own production requirements for pork sold in California. Producers say a growing number of state-specific rules raises costs and uncertainty and makes it harder for family farms to plan. "Our message to Congress is clear: Stop the patchwork nightmare that California Proposition 12 has created for pork producers across the country," said NPPC president Rob Brenneman, a producer from Washington County, Iowa. "Our family farms cannot afford the uncertainty these conflicting state laws is creating."

The farmers asked for a solution in the final farm bill — a consistent national policy that lets producers plan and stay competitive — and "reasonable legislation that allows us to continue farming and pass down our farms to the next generation", in Brenneman's words.

Their other priorities were continued funding for the US Swine Health Improvement Plan, which supports disease monitoring and animal health and, producers say, underpins consumer confidence and export markets; legislation to strengthen the agricultural workforce, with year-round labour solutions; and strong trade relationships that keep export opportunities open for American pork.

During the conference the producers heard from lawmakers of both parties and met officials who run federal programmes for research and disease prevention. The council also presented its first "Bringing Home the Bacon" congressional award to legislators who have backed pork producers' priorities, and closed with a reception for members of Congress, staff and industry organisations as Congress works on the Agricultural Act of 2026.

Source: Farms.com