The National Pork Producers Council is a trade association representing U.S. pork producers and other industry stakeholders. It conducts public policy outreach on behalf of its affiliated state associations from its headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa. The NPPC's supports the industry's standard practice of housing pregnant pigs in gestation crates, which has been criticized by The Humane Society and other animal welfare groups.
History
The National Pork Producers Council was formed in 1954 as a 501 charitable organization. In 1970, it established itself as a 501, a trade association which is allowed to lobby, unlike the previous designation of charitable organization. On January 1, 1986, it became the national-level recipient of pork checkoff funds.
Political involvement
According to NPPC's website, its mission is to "fight for legislation and regulations, develop revenue and market opportunities and protect the livelihoods of America’s 67,000 pork producers. Public policy issues agriculture and industry, animal health and food safety, environment and energy, and international trade." It conducts public policy outreach on behalf of its 43 affiliated state associations. Beyond legislation and regulation, NPPC is involved in the political process through a political action committee, PorkPAC. The PAC seeks to educate the public and support candidates at the state and federal levels who support the industry. In 2014, the PAC received $465,009 in donations, the highest amount since figures were available in 1990. The largest amount went to Senator Jack Kingston, followed by $10,000 each to the Representatives John Boehner, Jim CostaRon Kind, Steven King, David Rouzer and Adrian Smith. In 2016, 80% of the PAC's contributions went to Republican federal candidates and 20% to Democrats. Senator Chuck Grassley, and again Adrian Smith and David Rouzer received the largest amounts.
Organization
NPPC is governed by Board of Directors, composed of 15 members, and pork producer delegates from the states. Recommendations for new policies and for changes to existing policies are considered annually, in March, at the National Pork Industry Forum. NPPC also creates ad hoc task forces to study or provide guidance on industry issues. NPPC receives advice and works closely with the meat packing industry and animal health and feed companies, as well as the National Pork Board. Together the NPPC and NPB have formed joint task forces on certain issues.
Ethical principles
The pig farmers represented by NPPC adhere to a set of We Care guidelines, including:
The NPPC supports a variety of housing systems, including gestation crates and open pen housing, each of which has advantages and disadvantages concerning animal welfare, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. The Humane Society and other animal welfare groups have criticized NPPC's support for allowing hog farmers the right to determine the type of housing that's best for their sows.
