March 10, 2020

 

US NPPC approves ASF prevention and plant-based product label resolutions

 

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) approved resolutions to boost African swine fever (ASF) prevention measures and advocate labelling of plant-based alternative meats.

 

The resolutions were adopted by delegates attending NPPC's National Pork Industry Forum on March 6, 2020 at Kansas City, United States.

 

About ASF prevention, the NPPC will call upon federal regulatory agencies to study the risks of imported pet food and pet products are sourced from countries with ASF cases.

 

NPPC members stressed their position on not feeding swine with plate waste and support responsible import policies that aim to introduce essential feed ingredients safely from countries at a high risk of ASF outbreaks.

 

The NPPC also supports fair labeling enforcement by the US Food and Drug Administration US Department of Agriculture (USDA) on plant-based and cell-cultured products.

 

They said these "alternative meat" products grown through cell culture or are plant based, must go through the same stringent regulatory requirements as real livestock agriculture. This includes truthful labeling standards.

 

Another resolution approved by the NPPC is the reauthorisation and increased transparency of export data in the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act (LMRA). LMRA data provides cattle, swine and lamb marketing data, including products made from these animals.

 

The USDA publishes mandatory price reports two times a day on price information, purchase contracting, livestock supple and demand conditions, production of livestock and products made from livestock. The LMRA will expire September 30, 2020.

 

Moreover, delegates at the event passed a resolution to boost NPPC's strategic investment programme contribution rate to US$0.20 per US$100 swine marketed from July 1, 2021. The current rate is US$0.10.

 

David Herring, NPPC president said the approved resolutions showcase the priorities that will determine the future of the pork industry in the United States. He said these issues will be discussed in collaboration with Congress and the administration to improve the livelihood of US swine farmers.

 

-      National Pork Producers Council