National Pork Producers Council

The National Pork Producers Council is a trade association representing U.S. pork producers and other industry stakeholders. It lobbies on behalf of its affiliated state associations from its headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa.

National Pork Producers Council
Formation1954; 70 years ago (1954)
Type501(c)(5)
PurposeAdvocacy and research for the pork industry
Location
Websitenppc.org

History edit

The National Pork Producers Council was formed in 1954 as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.[1] In 1970, it established itself as a 501(c)(5), a trade association which is allowed to lobby, unlike the previous designation of charitable organization. [1]

On January 1, 1986, it became the national-level recipient of pork checkoff funds.[1]

Issues edit

According to NPPC's website, its mission is to "fight for legislation and regulations, develop revenue and market opportunities and protect the livelihoods of America’s more than 60,000 pork producers. Public policy priority issues include those relating to animal health and food safety, environment and energy, and international trade."[2][full citation needed]

Beyond legislation and regulation, NPPC is involved in the political process through a political action committee, PorkPAC. The PAC seeks to educate the public and support candidates at the state and federal levels who support the pork industry.[2]

The NPPC supports a variety of housing systems, including gestation crates and open pen housing, each of which has advantages and disadvantages concerning animal welfare, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.[3]

NPPC petitioned the Supreme Court of the United States to overturn California's animal protection law Proposition 12, in National Pork Producers Council v. Ross.[4][5] The court upheld the law.[6]

Organization edit

NPPC creates ad hoc task forces to study or provide guidance on industry issues. NPPC receives advice and works closely with the meat-packing industry and animal health and feed companies, as well as the National Pork Board. Together, NPPC and NPB have formed joint task forces on certain issues.[2] For example, they worked together in developing the Fat free lean index.[7]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "PORK PROMOTION, RESEARCH, AND CONSUMER INFORMATION ACT OF 1985" (PDF). Pork. Retrieved 11 October 2017. 7 U.S.C. 4801-4819
  2. ^ a b c "National Pork Producers Council"
  3. ^ https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/Reports/Documents/sow_housing_tfr.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  4. ^ "Supreme Court to Review California Prop 12". The National Law Review. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  5. ^ "Supreme Court to consider California rules regarding treatment of pigs". Washington Post. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  6. ^ "Supreme Court rejects challenge to California pork law mandating more space for pigs". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  7. ^ Board, National Pork. "Evaluation of Procedures to Predict Fat-free Lean in Pork Carcasses". Pork Information Gateway. Retrieved 2023-03-21.