October 5, 2001

Contact: Steven Cohen; 202-347-3600
cohens@nppc.org

PORK PRODUCERS COMMEND HOUSE ON PASSAGE OF FARM BILL

National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President Barb Determan today commended the House of Representatives for its passage of a farm bill "that meets the needs of production agriculture and the environment simultaneously." The House passed the bill by a vote of 291-120.

Determan, a pork producer from Early, Iowa, noted that the farm bill, H.R. 2646, increases spending for conservation programs by 80 percent, while making significant modifications to ensure that programs operate efficiently and fairly. The bill boosts funding for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) by $1 billion per year and a total of $12.85 over the 10-year farm bill. It also standardizes eligibility for the program, replacing the per animal unit cap for livestock producers with a contract payment limitation.

"The House passed farm bill will go a long way toward eliminating the backlog of applications under EQIP, which will pay environmental dividends for our country year after year," Determan said. "Our challenge now is to ensure that the innovative conservation provisions of the House bill are replicated when the Senate develops its farm bill."

Determan pointed out that pork producers have made significant personal investments in environmental improvements, but need cost-share assistance in order to comply with pending state and federal environmental regulations.

"The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) own analysis for its proposed CAFO rule assumes it will cost a 3,444 head farrow to finish swine operation in the Midwest $332,000 in capital costs and $26,000 in annual recurring costs to comply," Determan said. "Without some assistance, these regulations will drive producers out of business and lead to a further consolidation of the pork industry."

 

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