The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is displeased that the House of Representatives on Thursday failed to approve the “Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management (FARRM) Act of 2013” (H.R. 1947). The bill failed on a vote of 195-234.
The measure did not include the “Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments,” or Egg Bill, pushed by the Humane Society of the United States and strongly opposed by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC).
The bill did include several provisions backed by NPPC, including an amendment sponsored by Rep. Steve King (R-IA) that prohibits states from dictating production restrictions on agricultural goods sold within their own borders but produced in other states.
The NPPC also supported a measure sponsored by Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX) to prevent the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) from doing further work on the so-called GIPSA Rule related to livestock contracts.
In expressing strong disappointment with the defeat of the farm bill, NPPC urged the House leadership to craft a bill that benefits U.S. agriculture and to approve it before Sept. 30, when the current farm bill expires.
NPPC supports a five-year farm bill that strengthens the U.S. pork industry’s competitiveness, funds operational costs for a comprehensive surveillance system and robust research, retains funding for agricultural trade promotion and provides an economic safety net for farmers.
The House leadership is likely to meet early next week to discuss their next steps.
