USDA’s Rollins Says Proposition 12 ‘Just Not Sustainable’

What happened: At a U.S. House Appropriations Committee hearing on the U.S. Department of Agriculture budget, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins weighed in on California Proposition 12 and similar laws that affect livestock production.

In response to a question from Committee member Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Rollins told the panel that “when a state like California or other states passes laws that have significant impact outside their state border then that is not sustainable. Specific to Prop 12, we have understood that, we see it, [and] I think it’s pretty bipartisan … that, that is just not sustainable.

“Having a federal approach to that, ensuring that we’re protecting our pork producers, especially, some of the other livestock producers underneath the regime of Prop. 12 is important.”

Rollins agreed with Hinson that a patchwork of laws similar to Prop. 12 and other government regulations could put small farmers out of business. She said USDA “already has begun the deregulation” of federal policies.

NPPC’s take: NPPC, which has led the fight against Prop. 12 for the past five years, has been working with Hinson and other members of Congress on a legislative solution to the problems created by the California law.

Why it matters: Pork producers across the country must comply with Prop. 12 or forgo selling into the California market of 40 million people, who consume nearly 15% of all pork sold domestically. A lot of producers, particularly smaller ones, cannot afford to retrofit existing or build new sow housing that complies with the law. The negative effects of Prop. 12 would be compounded if other states were to adopt similar restrictive laws and regulations.

NPPC Participates in NAFB’s 2025 ‘Washington Watch’

What happened: NPPC President and Ohio producer Duane Stateler and several NPPC staff participated in the National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s (NAFB) annual “Washington Watch” issues forum in Washington, DC.

Joining Stateler were NPPC’s Maria C. Zieba, vice president of government affairs; Matt Grill, senior director of congressional relations; and Dr. Ashley Johnson, director of food policy.

Among the topics they discussed in 22 radio interviews — which will go to more than 1,200 network affiliates across more than 20 states — were:

• A legislative solution to California’s Proposition 12.
• Reauthorization through the next farm bill of programs to prevent and prepare for foreign animal diseases.
• Tariffs and international market access for U.S. pork.
• Farm labor shortage and year-round H-2A visa reform.

Why it matters: NAFB’s “Washington Watch” connects agriculture broadcasters and industry leaders to discuss key issues and topics affecting U.S. farmers. Farm broadcasters are a trusted source, provide an invaluable service, and are vital to communicating with the agricultural community, telling the story of the who, what, when, where, and how of America’s food, feed, fiber, and fuel system.

Swine Vets Lobby Lawmakers on Pork Industry Issues

What happened: Half a dozen swine veterinarians were in Washington, DC, to lobby congressional lawmakers on several issues of importance to the U.S. pork industry.

The veterinarians urged members of Congress to support funding for U.S. Department of Agriculture programs related to foreign animal diseases (FADs), including the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank, the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, and the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program, as well the National Veterinary Stockpile. They also asked for funds for USDA to run the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan (US SHIP).

US SHIP is a national producer-driven voluntary program to establish consistent health standards for the control of FADs such as African swine fever, Classical swine fever, and other endemic diseases. As a USDA regulatory program, US SHIP would encourage U.S. pork operations to obtain certification that they are free from FADs, outside of control areas. That would allow pork to be moved in interstate commerce and international trade following an FAD outbreak in the United States.

The veterinarians also called for a legislative fix to the problems caused by California Proposition 12.

NPPC’s take: NPPC strongly supports funding for the so-called three-legged stool of USDA programs that address FADs and money for US SHIP. It has led the fight to address issues – higher pork prices, for example – resulting from California Proposition 12 and pre-empt other states from approving similar agricultural production laws that affect producers outside their borders.

Why it matters: Adequate and consistent funding for federal programs that help prevent, prepare for, and respond to FADs is paramount to the U.S. pork industry, including swine veterinarians, who collaborate with USDA and state animal health agencies to ensure the well-being of animals and the safety of the U.S. food supply.

USDA Releases LRP, LGM Handbook and Policy Changes

What Happened: The U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency (RMA) published its updated handbook and basic provisions for Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) and Livestock Gross Margin (LGM) insurance, which are set to take effect for the 2026 crop year that begins July 1, 2025.

The following are some of the key changes impacting pork producers:

• Postpones premium billing dates by one calendar month.
• Provides flexibility for indemnity payment to be issued to a single party.
• Addresses cases of clear and obvious errors in offers of insurance.
• Harmonizes ineligibility and termination provisions across livestock insurance programs.
• For LRP, modifies definitions to allow ownership interest to be based on a valid livestock purchase agreement.
• Adds a definition of subsidy capture, language to prohibit subsidy capture, and detailed guidance on practices that will be presumed to be done for the purpose of subsidy capture.

NPPC’s take: Livestock insurance has become an integral part of risk management in the pork industry. NPPC supports USDA’s offering of LRP and LGM insurance and works to ensure the availability and long-term viability of these products for risk management. NPPC remains engaged with USDA and industry stakeholders on issues impacting these critical tools and continues advocating for improvements and innovations that would enhance risk management options for pork producers.

NPPC Seeks Input on Good Environmental Livestock Production Practices

What’s happening: NPPC is initiating a periodic review and revision of the Good Environmental Livestock Production Practices (GELPP) standard. The GELPP standards are approved under the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), which outlines responsible, science-based, and environmentally focused production practices for livestock producers.

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. 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.

Vaden Nomination to be USDA Deputy Secretary Advances

What happened: The nomination of Stephen Vaden to be deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture was approved by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. The nomination now goes to the full Senate.

Vaden was general counsel for USDA in the first Trump administration, serving from 2017 to 2020. Currently, he is a judge on the U.S. Court of International Trade.

NPPC’s take: NPPC has worked closely with Vaden, as he was instrumental in the development of the pork industry’s strategy to argue Prop. 12 in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. NPPC strongly supports Vaden for the No. 2 job at USDA and is asking the full Senate to quickly approve his nomination.