Congressman requests USDA address emerging disparity in processing market-ready hogs.

May 19, 2020

2 Min Read
Hagedorn asks Perdue to ensure independent producers treated fairly
National Pork Board

Congressman Jim Hagedorn (MN-01) delivered a letter last week to the USDA requesting Secretary Sonny Perdue, in his capacity as the head of USDA as well as the president's designee to oversee continued operations of the meat-processing industry under the Defense Production Act, ensure that the pork market is operating free from deceptive practices and independent farmers are being treated fairly.

"In your capacity as President Trump's designee to oversee the continuation of our nation's food supply, I request that you address the emerging disparity in processing market-ready hogs. COVID-19 has inflicted unprecedented losses to the livestock sector, which has irreparably impacted countless producers and family farmers in Minnesota and throughout the nation. Many independent pork farmers are responsible for all input costs, putting them at grave financial risk if animals are not processed on-time," Hagedorn wrote.

Upon delivering the letter, Rep. Hagedorn issued the following statement:

"I will continue to utilize my position on the House Agriculture Committee and its Subcommittee on Livestock to fight for agriculture and the interests of southern Minnesota's producers. I will never allow large foreign-owned companies or any other entities to get away with discriminatory practices and gain an advantage over our local family farmers.

"Our system of agriculture provides an abundant array of quality products at affordable prices for the American people. Maintaining our food supply is a national security issue. Sustaining agriculture and our rural southern Minnesota way of life will always be my priority while serving in Congress."

The congressman also outlined his position in a video.

Jim Hagedorn was elected in 2018 to represent Minnesota's First District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He grew up on his family's grain and livestock farm near Truman. Jim's father, former U.S. Congressman Tom Hagedorn (MN-02), grandfather, and great-grandfather were all southern Minnesota farmers. Jim currently resides in the rural farming community of Blue Earth. Hagedorn brings policy experience to Capitol Hill from time spent as a congressional aide to former U.S. Congressman Arlan Stangeland (MN-07) and a congressional relations officer for two non-partisan U.S. Department of the Treasury agencies. Hagedorn serves on the House Committees on Agriculture and Small Business to promote farming, Main Street enterprises and southern Minnesota's way of life.

Source: Congressman Jim Hagedorn, who 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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