For the Week Ending February 22, 2019

NPPC RENEWS CALL FOR USDA OVERSIGHT OF GENE EDITING 
NPPC this week renewed its call for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to have regulatory oversight of gene editing in livestock as development of this promising technology is currently stalled at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Despite no statutory requirement, the FDA currently holds regulatory authority over gene editing in food-producing animals. FDA has proposed treating any gene edited animal as a living animal drug – and every farm raising them a drug manufacturing facility – undermining U.S. agricultural competitiveness relative to other countries with more progressive gene editing regulatory policies. Thursday, NPPC’s Dr. Dan Kovich, director of science and technology, advocated NPPC’S position on the technology at an Innovations in Agriculture panel moderated by USDA Under Secretary Greg Ibach, during the agency’s 95th Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum.

2020 DIETARY GUIDELINES ADVSIORY COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar Thursday announced the appointment of 20 nationally recognized scientists to serve on the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. The committee, informed by public and agency comments, will assist USDA and HHS with the development of the five-year Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Among the appointees were Heather Leidy and Richard Mattes, two of NPPC’s nominees.

WHAT’S AHEAD

2019 NATIONAL PORK INDUSTRY FORUM APPROACHING
The National Pork Industry Forum – NPPC’s annual business meeting – will be held in Orlando, Fla., March 6-8. During the event, NPPC will elect new officers and members to its board of directors.