NPPC President Responds to MAHA Report

What happened: The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission, established through an executive order signed by President Trump, issued a report on human health and food that is critical of ultra-processed foods and some farm production practices, such as food additives and the use of pesticides.

The commission, whose members include U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Environmental Protect Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, among others, is charged with assessing “the threat that potential over-utilization of medication, certain food ingredients, certain chemicals, and certain other exposures pose to children with respect to chronic inflammation or other established mechanisms of disease …”

NPPC’s take: Criticizing the report, NPPC President and Ohio pork producer Duane Stateler said, “Efforts that not only exclude agriculture’s input, but also undermine the work of farmers serving our nation, are misguided and detrimental to all who care about facts and truth … We urge extreme caution and recognize this as a moment for leadership that not only fosters and maintains trust in the foods we consume but also defends farmers against unwarranted and unfounded attacks.”

“We urge President Trump to support America’s farmers, who use modern practices to feed 98% of the population. We implore this administration to ensure farmers have a seat at the table when discussions and decisions impacting our livelihoods are made. On behalf of my fellow 60,000+ pork producers and our commitment to continuous improvement, we stand ready and willing to assist and partner in transparent, risk-based research to further the health of our nation.”

Why it matters: The MAHA Commission’s recommendations vilified ultra-processed foods and could limit the use of vital modern farming tools such as pesticides and food additives used to extend shelf life and to inhibit microbial growth, which is necessary for food safety. Despite the report’s emphasis on transparency, the report excluded input from agriculture. Adopting policies that undercut the U.S. food system would jeopardize the production capabilities of a shrinking number of farmers, who produce more abundant and more healthful foods with fewer and better inputs.The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission, established through an executive order signed by President Trump, issued a report on human health and food that is critical of ultra-processed foods and some farm production practices, such as food additives and the use of pesticides. The commission, whose members include U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Environmental Protect Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, among others, is charged with assessing “the threat that potential over-utilization of medication, certain food ingredients, certain chemicals, and certain other exposures pose to children with respect to chronic inflammation or other established mechanisms of disease …” NPPC’s take: Criticizing the report, NPPC President and Ohio pork producer Duane Stateler said, “Efforts that not only exclude agriculture’s input, but also undermine the work of farmers serving our nation, are misguided and detrimental to all who care about facts and truth … We urge extreme caution and recognize this as a moment for leadership that not only fosters and maintains trust in the foods we consume but also defends farmers against unwarranted and unfounded attacks.” “We urge President Trump to support America’s farmers, who use modern practices to feed 98% of the population. We implore this administration to ensure farmers have a seat at the table when discussions and decisions impacting our livelihoods are made. On behalf of my fellow 60,000+ pork producers and our commitment to continuous improvement, we stand ready and willing to assist and partner in transparent, risk-based research to further the health of our nation.” Why it matters: The MAHA Commission’s recommendations vilified ultra-processed foods and could limit the use of vital modern farming tools such as pesticides and food additives used to extend shelf life and to inhibit microbial growth, which is necessary for food safety. Despite the report’s emphasis on transparency, the report excluded input from agriculture. Adopting policies that undercut the U.S. food system would jeopardize the production capabilities of a shrinking number of farmers, who produce more abundant and more healthful foods with fewer and better inputs.

House Passes Bill with Numerous NPPC Wins

What happened: The U.S. House approved on a 215-214 vote a budget reconciliation measure – President Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill” – that includes several NPPC animal health, market access, and tax priorities.

In a letter sent before the vote, NPPC and 44 other agricultural organizations urged House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN), and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO), who shepherded the bill to the House floor, to “prioritize measures that strengthen rural communities and promote economic stability across American agriculture.”

The reconciliation bill includes the following NPPC priorities:

• Preserving necessary resources to protect the nation’s food supply through foreign animal disease prevention.
• Increasing market access programs for U.S. pork through the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program.
• Maintaining resources for the feral swine eradication to protect the health of our herds.
• Making the Qualified Business Income Deduction permanent, allowing producers to make organizational decisions for their business not based solely on tax liability.
• Allowing Bonus Depreciation up to 100%, through tax year 2029, to provide producers with flexibility to plan cash flows for major asset acquisitions.
• Changing the way the Business Interest Expense Limitation is calculated to avoid harming producers who rely on borrowing to make improvements or normalize cash flow in poor market conditions.
• Increasing the Estate Tax Exemption amount to $15 million permanently to prevent new tax exposure for family-owned farms.
• Substantially increasing the expensing limitations of Section 179 to provide producers flexibility in planning cash flows around major asset acquisitions.

NPPC’s take: NPPC supports the animal health and market access provisions, as well as extending and – in some cases – making permanent tax provisions beneficial to pork producers. NPPC continues to press lawmakers to pass a five-year farm bill that includes a fix to California Proposition 12.

NPPC Officers, Staff Attend Mexican Pork Congress

What happened: NPPC officers, Trade Committee producer-members, and staff attended the Intercontinental Congress of Pork Producers in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.

The meeting, hosted by Opormex – the Organization of Mexican Pig Farmers – and co-hosted by NPPC, is the leading forum for pork production in Mexico and Latin America. Among the topics discussed at the 4th Congress were U.S. agricultural trade policy, challenges and opportunities for the swine sector, generational succession management, biosecurity, and traceability. Iowa pork producer and NPPC President-elect Rob Brenneman also participated in an animal welfare panel.

NPPC officers and Trade Committee members who attended the Congress met with the Opormex board of directors to discuss topics of mutual interest, including animal health, economic and political issues, and Brazilian pork exports to the North American market.

Why it matters: The Intercontinental Congress of Pork Producers attracts global players in the pork industry and provides a showcase for innovations, access to key decision makers, and an opportunity to make strategic connections. More than 1,000 pork producers attend the event, and more than 100 exhibitors take part in the trade show held in conjunction with the meeting.

Senate Ag Committee Approves Lindberg to be USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs

What happened: The nomination of Luke Lindberg to be President Trump’s U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs was advanced by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. The full Senate now must vote to confirm him.

Lindberg currently is president and CEO of South Dakota Trade, which collaborates with local and regional agriculture groups to help the state’s producers and agricultural partners navigate the global trade landscape. He also serves on the board of directors of the National Association of District Export Councils and as an adviser with the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. Lindberg was chief of staff and chief strategy officer at the U.S. Export-Import Bank during Trump’s first term in the White House.

NPPC’s position: NPPC supports the nomination of Lindberg to be USDA’s Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.

Why it matters: In addition to representing USDA in trade negotiations, Lindberg will play an important role in administering the agency’s international food assistance programs and be responsible for coordinating commodity procurement among various departments within USDA, said Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR).

Senate Ag Holds Hoskins, Hutchins Nomination Hearing

Senate Ag Holds Hoskins, Hutchins Nomination Hearing What happened: The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee held a nomination hearing for Dudley Hoskins to be Under Secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) and Dr. Scott Hutchins to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics (REE).

NPPC and nearly 120 national and state agricultural organizations support Hoskins’ nomination.

NPPC’s take: NPPC strongly supports both Hoskins and Hutchins’ USDA under secretary nominations.

Why it matters: The MRP under secretary oversees the administration of a variety of marketing and regulatory programs crucial for ensuring the health, quality, availability, and fair marketing of U.S. agricultural products and resources, domestically and internationally. The REE under secretary oversees agriculture research, extension, and education and serves as the bridge between the federal government and land-grant universities.

NPPC to Host Session on Good Environmental Livestock Production Practice Standards

What happened: NPPC will host an information session at World Pork Expo on the review and revision of the Good Environmental Livestock Production Practices (GELPP) standards. Approved under the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), GELPP standards outline responsible, science-based, and environmentally-focused production practices for livestock producers.

As part of the standard review process, NPPC is seeking input and participation from a diverse range of stakeholders who have an interest in animal agriculture, pork and livestock production, food safety, environmental management, and public health.

NPPC is looking for contributions from producer organizations and pork industry representatives; government agencies and regulatory bodies; animal health and veterinary professionals; academia and research institutions; environment and sustainability professionals; food processors, retailers, and restaurant chains; certification and auditing bodies; independent farmers; veterinarians; and subject-matter experts.

Participants can be members of the consensus body involved in developing and voting on the revised standard – or advisory reviewers, who evaluate and provide feedback at key points in the process.

The information session will take place at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 5, in room A2 of the Varied Industry Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Click here to register. For more information on the GELPP standard and/or participating in the review and revision process, email GELPP@nppc.org.

Why it matters: The GELPP standard reflects best practices, promotes continuous improvement, and helps maintain environmental credibility across pork and livestock supply chains.

May 29 Designated ‘Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day’

What happened: The U.S. Senate unanimously approved a bipartisan resolution designating May 29 as “Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day.” Sponsored by Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Michael Bennet (D-CO), the designation seeks to raise awareness about mental health in the agricultural industry and workforce and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.

The lawmakers want to highlight the challenges agricultural producers and workers face, including weather unpredictability, labor shortages, farm succession, and fluctuating commodity and market prices. Many agricultural states are experiencing a mental health crisis, with producers dealing with those stresses.

According to the National Rural Health Association, the rate of suicide among farmers is 3.5 times higher than the general population. The rate among farmworkers is 1.4 times higher than rates in all other occupations, according to the Mortality-Linked National Health Interview Survey.

NPPC’s take: NPPC, which thanked Sens. Fischer and Bennet for their leadership on the issue, said it is important to shine a light on the mental health challenges faced by farmers and ranchers.

“In both prosperous and uncertain times, it’s essential that we continue working to break the stigma around mental health—supporting not only today’s producers, but also the next generation,” said NPPC President Duane Stateler, an Ohio pork producer.

Resources: The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network connects agricultural producers and workers to stress assistance programs. For a list of other mental health resources, click here and here.

Look Ahead: World Pork Expo, Capital Update on Break

What is happening: NPPC’s annual World Pork Expo will be held June 4-5 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. More than 20,000 visitors are expected to attend the event, which showcases innovations and new products and offers training and educational programs, as well as lots of pork. Click here for more information, tickets, and media registration for the world’s largest pork industry trade show and exhibition.

With Congress taking a weeklong break in observance of Memorial Day, Capital Update for the week ending May 30 will not be distributed.