KPA News

Find the latest state, national, and international news that can affect your business. KPA staff preview several sources to deliver information that is tailored to Kansas pork producers. For questions or comments, contact the KPA office.

Updated May 7

NPPC News

NPPC Praises Domino's For Rejecting HSUS Proposal

April 27, 2012 - Domino's Pizza shareholders last Wednesday rejected - by a majority vote of 80 percent - a resolution from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) requiring its pork suppliers to stop the use of gestation stalls. The National Pork Producers Council hailed the move as a vote for common sense.

Animal activist groups recently have influenced several prominent foodservice companies, including McDonald's, Wendy's and Burger King, to make poorly informed decisions on sow housing.

"The vote to reject the HSUS resolution was a vote for common sense," said NPPC President R.C. Hunt, a pork producer from Wilson, N.C. "We appreciate Domino's belief that America's farmers, veterinarians and other animal agriculture experts are better suited than activist groups to determine what the best animal care practices are."

U.S. pork producers care about their animals and rely on the experience and knowledge of animal care experts, including the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, when designing housing and handling their animals. These associations recognize both gestation stalls and group housing systems as appropriate for providing for the well-being of sows during pregnancy.

"Removing sow stalls has no demonstrable health or welfare benefits to animals," said Dr. Liz Wagstrom, NPPC chief veterinarian. "In fact, the key factor that most affects animal well-being is husbandry skills - that is, the care given to each animal. There is no scientific consensus on the best way to house gestating sows because each type of housing system has inherent advantages and disadvantages."

America's pork farmers are committed to producing safe, affordable and healthy foods for consumers, using industry customs and practices that have been designed with input from veterinarians and other animal-care experts. Providing humane and compassionate care for their pigs at every stage of life is one of the We Care ethical principles to which U.S. hog farmers adhere.

U.S. Department of Labor Abandons Widely Criticized Farm Labor Rule

April 27, 2012 - The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division Thursday night released a statement withdrawing its widely criticized proposed rule restricting children under the age of 16 from doing regular farm chores. NPPC applauds the DOL for coming to its senses and listening to the thousands of comments submitted by pork producers and other farmers.

The original rule, proposed September 2011, prohibited children under the age of 16 from work in agricultural environments. This prompted a huge outcry from farmers, multiple agricultural organizations, the public, and members of Congress representing rural agricultural districts.

NPPC, along with the American Sheep Industry Association and the National Turkey Federation, submitted comments opposing the rule in December.

"This is just simple common sense. Rural American farming families teach their children the values of farming by having them do farm chores every day. The government should not be regulating these life lessons," said NPPC President R.C. Hunt, a pork producer from Wilson, N.C.

In its statement, the DOL said that they and the U.S. Department of Agriculture will work with national agricultural stakeholders "to develop an educational program to reduce accidents to young workers and promote safer agricultural working practices.'

To read the DOL statement, click here.

Statement Of The National Pork Producers Council On Burger King's Decision On Sow Housing

April 25, 2012 - Hog farmers are committed to producing safe, affordable and healthful foods for consumers, using industry standards and practices that have been designed with input from veterinarians and other animal-care experts. Providing humane and compassionate care for their pigs at every stage of life is one of the ethical principles to which U.S. hog farmers adhere.

With regard to Burger King's decision to require its pork suppliers to phase out individual sow housing, the National Pork Producers Council is concerned that such action will significantly increase production costs - and eventually consumer prices - force U.S. hog farmers out of business and lead to more consolidation of the pork industry, all with no demonstrable health benefits to sows.

NPPC supports the position taken by the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, which recognize gestation stalls and group housing systems as appropriate for providing for the well-being of sows during pregnancy. In fact, the key factor that most affects animal well-being is husbandry skills - that is, the care given to each animal. There is no scientific consensus on the best way to house gestating sows because each type of housing system has inherent advantages and disadvantages.

While NPPC respects the right of companies to make business decisions that are in their best interests, it seems that Burger King was bullied by an animal rights group whose ultimate goal is the elimination of food-animal production. The Humane Society of United States has no concern for the hog farmers who care for their pigs every day, for families struggling to purchase food or for the hog farms that likely will go out of business - costing rural America thousands of jobs - because of its campaign against America's farmers and ranchers.

National Pork Board News

April 25

National Pork Board Reacts to Burger King Announcement
 

KSU News

Dr. Bob Hines Kansas Swine Classic
Manhattan, KS
July 13-14, 2012   
 

Meat Export Federation News

Korean Consumers, Bloggers Visit with U.S. Industry Leaders
 

April 20 - A group of 22 South Korean consumers, including 11 food-oriented bloggers, got a unique opportunity to enjoy a U.S. beef and pork cooking demonstration while hearing personal insights from American industry leaders in Seoul.

Korean consumers are very interested in understanding the sources of their food, so a presentation by Leann Saunders, a Colorado wife and mother who also happens to be a rancher, businesswoman and secretary/treasurer of the U.S. Meat Export Federation's executive committee, was very timely.

Saunders explained for the consumer group that she grew up on a ranch where her father and grandfather still work. She spoke on behalf of the U.S. beef industry, and discussed the commitment her family shares with other ranchers to do their best to protect natural resources and produce high quality, safe beef.

"It was fascinating meeting with Korean consumers and these trusted bloggers," said Saunders. "It is very obvious that while we speak different languages and come from different cultures, we all want the same thing when it comes to our food choices and feeding our families. We all want safe, healthy, cost-effective alternatives. Consumers worldwide want transparency, authenticity and more information about the families behind their food."

The U.S. pork industry was represented by Becca Hendricks, National Pork Board assistant vice president of international marketing, who explained the industry's "We Care" program which demonstrates producers' commitment to raise pork responsibly. She also reviewed innovations the industry has introduced over the past 50 years to produce safe, affordable, versatile, nutritious and tasty pork.

The program included two celebrity chefs, Chef Lee Sang-hak and Chef Shin Hyo-seob

"Events like this help garner consumer interest and respect for U.S. pork," said Hendricks. "In South Korea, consumers tend to trust their peers on issues of health and nutrition, so our presentations and the chef demonstrations were well-received. The U.S. pork industry's efforts are moving more towards influencing consumers directly. It helps gain trust in our product as well as allowing consumers to taste a great recipe."

USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng introduced the program, which included two celebrity chefs, Chef Lee Sang-hak and Chef Shin Hyo-seob, who are very popular with Korean consumers. Their cooking demonstration gave the participants a sampling of U.S. beef chuck eye roll skewers with black olive Chimichurri sauce and U.S. pulled pork sandwich.

Representing the luxurious Westin Chosun hotel in Seoul, Chef Lee praised the quality of U.S. beef while Chef Shin, who is part of a U.S. pork radio advertising campaign, stressed the good taste and quality of American pork. "It is more credible to hear from the people from the U.S. how cattle and hogs are raised and beef and pork are produced," said one consumer.

"The U.S. meat stories from the homemakers from the U.S. have touched my heart," said one blogger. "It was a great time. I always have a good time when I participate in USMEF's activities because you can get valuable information as well as you can taste delicious meat."

One blogger, whose writings are viewed by nearly 2,000 Korean consumers daily, posted this.

Funding for the seminar was provided through the USDA Market Access Program (MAP) as well as the Beef Checkoff and Pork Checkoff programs.

In 2011, South Korea was a leading market for both U.S. beef and pork exports, buying 154,019 metric tons (339.6 million pounds) of beef valued at $686 million, and 188,307 metric tons (415.1 million pounds) of pork valued at $497.1 million. The recent implementation of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement is expected to enhance export opportunities for both in the coming years. 
 

KPA Producer Resources

SPCC Compliance Date Extension for Farms 

On October 18, 2011, the U.S. EPA amended the date by which farms must prepare or amend and implement their Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plans, to May 10, 2013. If EPA receives no adverse comment by November 2, 2011, then the rule will become effective on November 7, 2011.

An overwhelming segment of the continental United States was affected by flooding during the spring and summer of 2011. Other areas were impacted by devastating fires.  Many counties in many states were declared disaster areas by either the federal or state government or both. As a result, EPA believes that because of their unique nature farms were disproportionately affected and need additional time to prepare and implement a Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plan.

The amendment does not remove the regulatory requirement for owners or operators of farms in operation before August 16, 2002, to maintain and continue implementing an SPCC Plan in accordance with the SPCC regulations then in effect. Such farms continue to be required to maintain plans during the interim until the applicable compliance date for amending and implementing the amended Plans. Finally, the amendment does not relieve farms from the liability of any oil spills that occur.

To see more information, click on EPA SPCC Plans

KPA Community Outreach Program

The Pork Community Outreach is designed to assist individual pork producers in becoming more involved and positively visible in their local communities. The KPA is offering matching funds on the expenses on selected community relations activities. The purpose of this program is to multiply the positive effects of pork producer involvement in the communities where hogs are raised.

To be eligible you must:

Fill out a cost share request form and submit it to the KPA at least two weeks prior to your event and submit design ideas to the KPA so that appropriate logos and messages may be included.

Click on Community Outreach to download a form.

PQA Plus Site Assessment Rebate Program

The Kansas Pork Association, the National Pork Board and the National Pork Producers Council are encouraging all producers to become PQA Plus certified and achieve PQA Plus Site Status. The purpose of this program is to encourage producers to be proactive in providing the best possible care for their animals and show commitment to the ethical principles of pork production as outlined in the We Care responsible pork initiative.

Having a PQA Plus advisor review your operation can both improve the well-being and productivity of animals in your care by noting changes or additions that may not otherwise be noticed.

The Kansas Pork Association is offering a $100 rebate to Kansas Pork Producers completing a PQA Plus Site Assesment. The funding is available on a first-come-first-serve basis.

The following requirements and stipulations apply:

• Producer must have all site status paperwork completed.
• Rebate amount may not equal more than the total assessment cost.
• Rebates available on a first-come, first-served basis only as funds are available.

Click here to download the rebate form.

Please contact Tim Stroda at kpa@kspork.org or (785) 776-0442 with questions or to see if funds are still available.

Kansas GOLD Inc. working to update producer's information

Garry Keeler, program coordinator for Kansas GOLD Inc., is now working to update the yearly information needed to recertify facilities. Kansas GOLD Inc. will be contacting producers as their certification becomes due. The program has also recently started working with several producers to begin the process of applying for new permits.

The GOLD program is designed to ensure that when a regulator visits your farm, the information they request can be found easily and is packaged in a pre-approved format. The process begins with a visit to your farm by the Kansas GOLD coordinator, who will begin by examining your KDHE permit for each facility number. This permit tells the coordinator what information needs to be collected and kept on file.

Kansas GOLD Inc. provides a cost-effective manner to ensure your operation is in compliance. For information, please click on GOLD or contact the KPA office at (785) 776-0442 or e-mail to kpa@kspork.org