Nearly $6 billion in federal funds that directly benefit the hog industry are in the final omnibus bill.

3 Min Read
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National Pork Board

The omnibus spending bill to keep the government operating through fiscal 2022 — approved by Congress last week and signed into law by President Biden this week — included nearly two dozen pork industry priority provisions and programs that will benefit U.S. producers, according to a recent National Pork Producers Council Spending Bill Recap. Much of the $25.1 billion for agriculture, rural development, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and related agencies goes to USDA programs that will help prevent and prepare for foreign animal disease outbreaks and fund agricultural research. 

Over the past several years, Congress has had to pass annual spending bills against the backdrop of the pandemic and threats of a government shutdown. It has been a stressful process in the midst of the most divisive political environment the nation ever has experienced. For the most part, extenuating circumstances have dominated the process that, while not directly involving the pork industry, had a great impact on producers' livelihoods. Because of this, obtaining pork-specific provisions has been challenging.

In a process where the appropriations committee typically grant one, maybe two, issues for the pork industry, NPPC was able to secure additional funding for programs or extensions on provisions related to 20 issues. In all, nearly $6 billion in federal funds that directly benefit the hog industry are in the final omnibus bill:

  • USDA AMS Livestock Mandatory Reporting authorization extended to end of FY22.

  • USDA APHIS $46,039,000 increase in top-line funding.

  • USDA APHIS $25,390,000 for Swine Health line item (up from $25,020,000).

  • USDA APHIS $61,414,000 for Veterinary Diagnostics line item (up from $56,979,000).

  • USDA APHIS $20,282,000, to remain available until expended, shall be for zoonotic disease management (up from $19,620,000).

  • USDA APHIS $42,021,000, to remain available until expended, shall be for emergency preparedness and response (up from $41,268,000).

  • USDA APHIS $24,307,000, to remain available until expended, shall be used to carry out the science program and transition activities for the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility (up from $20,252,000).

  • USDA APHIS Continuance of provision allowing the transfer of funds in the event of a disease outbreak.

  • USDA FSIS Provision to prohibit new, and eliminate existing, line speed waivers in meat and poultry plants was not included.

  • USDA NIFA $445,000,000 for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative ($10m increase).

  • USDA REE $1,000,000 to further build out planning and management structure of AGARDA.

  • USDA $3.5b in total ag research funding (increase of $217m from FY21).

  • USDA RUS $550m for expanding broadband access, including $450m for USDA ReConnect.

  • DOL / DHS Continuance of H-2B Returning Worker provision from FY21.

  • DHS CBP $250,000,000, to remain available until Sept. 30, 2023, to offset the loss resulting from the coronavirus pandemic of quarantine and inspection fees collected (AQI).

  • DHS CBP Report language: Agricultural Inspections. CBP shall continue working with USDA to better leverage existing staff to address the agricultural inspection workload, such as through the authorization of additional work hours or dual certification.

  • DOT FMCSA Electronic logging device requirements delayed for livestock transporters.

  • EPA Prohibition on Clean Air Act Title 5 greenhouse gas permits for livestock.

  • EPA Prohibition on EPA funds to require reporting of GHG emissions from manure.

Source: National Pork Producers Council, which is solely responsible for the information provided, and wholly owns the information. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

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