Stateler Pushes for Pork Priorities in Farm Bill

National Pork Producers Council President Duane Stateler says the pork industry is counting on Congress to deliver a farm bill that strengthens defenses against foreign animal disease and addresses Proposition 12. “We just wanted to get the three-legged stool in there to have some prevention from foreign animal disease and to get the vaccine banks built back up and for border security on meat coming in to prevent ASF and foot and mouth disease.” Stateler also warned that the pork industry remains vulnerable to a foreign animal disease outbreak. “We’re better ready than we were years ago, but we’re not there yet. The last thing that we need is being able to trace our animals. That work has been turned over to the USDA. We’re probably about two years away from where we have a traceability policy adopted to put in place.” With 27 percent of U.S. pork production relying on exports, he emphasized that losing access to trade markets would be devastating.