NPPC Supports Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022

CEO attends White House signing ceremony

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 16, 2022 — The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) attended today’s White House signing ceremony for the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (OSRA). The newly enacted law will address longstanding supply chain and shipping port issues that have hampered exports of pork and other U.S. goods.

“NPPC commends President Biden for signing and Senators Amy Klobuchar and John Thune and Representatives John Garamendi and Dusty Johnson for their sponsorship of and leadership on the OSRA,” said Bryan Humphreys, NPPC’s chief executive officer. “I am honored to represent NPPC and America’s 60,000 pork producers to see this important legislation signed into law.”

For several years, U.S. exporters have been dealing with port challenges. Examples include aging infrastructure and shipping issues, such as excessive detention and demurrage fees charged to exporters and importers for using marine terminal space and shipping containers. U.S. exporters also have had shipments declined or canceled without notice.

U.S. pork is shipped to more than 100 countries, and last year, the U.S. pork industry exported more than $8 billion of products, which added $63 to the value of each hog marketed. The Agriculture Transportation Coalition, of which NPPC is a member, estimates that 22% of U.S. agricultural exports in 2021 were not delivered because of unreasonable shipping practices. “Exports add significantly to the bottom line of each American pork producer,” said NPPC President Elect Scott Hays, CEO of Two Mile Pork, LLC, in Monroe City, Missouri. “Having more assurances that our products will reach their destination by addressing problems that have plagued our ports for years is a huge win for our industry.”