Wisconsin pork producers travel to Washington, D.C.
The week of September 15, several pork producers from Wisconsin traveled to Washington D.C. to participate in the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) Fall Legislative Action Conference.
Pork producers from around the country attended the conference, receiving updates on legislative issues of importance to the U.S. pork industry and hearing about Congress’ agenda from Reps. Steve King, R-Iowa, and Collin Peterson, D-Minn., who is chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. USDA Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner also addressed producers. Pork producers were briefed on industry issues, including: swine industry crisis update, trade policy, CAFO regulation update, Responsible Pork Initiative, immigration reform, and Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling.
While in town, producers meet with their congressional delegations to educate them about critical pork industry issues. Wisconsin producers and association staff in attendance included: Jim Magolski, New London; Bill Gnatzig, Roberts; Doug Wolf, Lancaster; John Lader, Beloit; Mike Wehler, Plain; and Tammy Vaassen, Cuba City. The Wisconsin delegation met with all Congressional representatives and senators from the state, or with one of their legislative aides. For a copy of all of the issues reviewed with members of Congress, contact the WPA office.
Following our visits to the congressional offices NPPC hosted its popular “Rack of Pork” reception in the House Agriculture Committee hearing room. Congressional members and aides often smile when we invite them to this event during our visit to their offices. Many say they look forward to this reception every time the pork producers are in town.
Jim Magolski is participating in the National Pork Board’s Pork Leadership Institute for 2008-09, and had the opportunity to attend the Legislative Conference. According to Magolski, “The trip to our nation’s capitol was certainly an eye opening experience that every producer should do at least once. The trip made me appreciate how important and challenging of a task it is to elect representatives in the state and across the country that not only support, but understand production agriculture and are willing to promote it. As producers, if we don't educate our representatives on important issues to us as an industry, someone else will.”