The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) filed a complaint with USDA’s Office of the Inspector General claiming that checkoff funds from the National Pork Board have been diverted to the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) for lobbying purposes.

P. Scott Shearer, Vice President

December 10, 2012

1 Min Read
HSUS Files Complaint on Pork Checkoff

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) filed a complaint with USDA’s Office of the Inspector General claiming that checkoff funds from the National Pork Board have been diverted to the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) for lobbying purposes. The HSUS said, “The National Pork Producers Council lobbies for large factory farms at the expense of family farms and animal welfare and appears to be using federal checkoff dollars to advance its extreme agenda. If checkoff funds have been illegally diverted to lobbying, USDA should take swift action to ensure America’s pig farmers are not footing the bill for the pork industry’s high-priced lobbyists.” NPPC responded, “HSUS’s claim is patently and demonstrably false and won’t scare pig farmers into abandoning practices that protect the well-being of their animals. The attack from HSUS shows the animal-rights group’s desperation following its failure to get the so-called Egg Bill approved by Congress and its stunning defeats during the November elections. It poured hundreds of thousands of its ‘members’ contribution dollars into political races against lawmakers who support America’s family farmers and into at least one state ballot initiative.” At issue is the National Pork Board’s support of NPPC’s Pork Alliance program. 

About the Author(s)

P. Scott Shearer

Vice President, Bockorny Group, Inc.

Scott Shearer is vice president of the Bockorny Group Inc., a leading bipartisan government affairs consulting firm in Washington, D.C. With more than 30 years experience in government and corporate relations in state and national arenas, he is recognized as a leader in agricultural trade issues, having served as co-chairman of the Agricultural Coalition for U.S.-China Trade and co-chairman of the Agricultural Coalition for Trade Promotion Authority. Scott was instrumental in the passage of China Permanent Normal Trade Relations and TPA. He is past chairman of the USDA-USTR Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Animals and Animal Products and was a member of the USAID Food Security Advisory Committee. Prior to joining the Bockorny Group, Scott served as director of national relations for Farmland Industries Inc., as well as USDA’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs (1993-96), serving as liaison for the Secretary of Agriculture and the USDA to Congress.

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