990324 Pork Producers Call for Improved Price Reporting

Nashville, TN - National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) producer delegates, representing a broad range and type of production segments in the U.S., debated and approved actions that will have a long-term effect of the direction of the U.S. pork industry. Delegates met during the National Pork Industry Forum held March 4-6 in Nashville, Tenn.

According to John McNutt, newly elected NPPC President and a producer from Iowa City, Iowa, delegate action at this year's Pork Forum focused on providing the tools of profitability and choices to producers including mandatory price reporting, cash infusion and revenue assurance.

Of the record number 65 resolutions introduced for debate, eight proposed resolutions were on mandatory price reporting. Delegates approved to support legislation consistent with NPPC policies on price reporting that requires all pork packers to provide to USDA, by plant, actual prices paid for all hogs by all purchasing methods by category, including contracts and formulas, for slaughter, on a daily basis. In addition, an improved retail price reporting system should also be included in legislation. Delegates said accurate information was imperative for a competitive market.

Direct cash infusion was supported by voting delegates to help keep thousands of solid and efficient pork producers in business. NPPC will seek a one-time-only cash infusion program based on sales of pigs during the last quarter of 1998. The payment will be limited to $50,000 per operation and eligible to all producers regardless of size.

Delegates approved a resolution calling for NPPC to support and participate in the development of a revenue assurance program patterned after crop revenue assurance programs currently available.

A resolution calling for a task force to be formed to study the impact of the current U.S. pork industry structure and ownership of hogs, including the role of packers, was approved following much debate. The task force, to be named soon by the NPPC Board of Directors, will report back to representatives of all of the state associations serving on the Federation Council in June.

Delegates also approved a resolution calling for NPPC to work with USDA to maintain price discovery and market access for quality hogs.

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