Pork Producers Take Prop. 12, Farm Bill Priorities to Capitol Hill
Nearly 150 pork producers from 24 states met with lawmakers in Washington, D.C., calling for action on California Proposition 12, swine health funding, agricultural labor and trade.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nearly 150 pork producers representing 24 states traveled to Washington, D.C., to press Congress on issues affecting U.S. pig farmers, with a legislative solution to California Proposition 12 among their leading priorities.
The producers gathered for the National Pork Producers Council’s biannual Legislative Action Conference as the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry advanced the Agricultural Act of 2026 out of committee.
NPPC President Rob Brenneman, a pork producer from Washington County, Iowa, said producers are asking Congress to address what NPPC describes as a growing patchwork of differing state production requirements.
“Our message to Congress is clear: Stop the patchwork nightmare that California Proposition 12 has created for pork producers across the country,” Brenneman said.
Brenneman said producers are concerned about the uncertainty created by conflicting state laws and their potential effects on family farms.
“We’re not backing down from this fight for rural America,” Brenneman said. “I’m proud of my fellow pork producers for taking precious time away from their farms to travel to Washington, D.C., and meet face to face with their elected officials.”
Pork Producers Visit Approximately 175 Congressional Offices
Producers spread across Capitol Hill during the conference, visiting approximately 175 congressional offices on behalf of what NPPC describes as more than 60,000 U.S. pork producers.
According to NPPC, four major issues were part of the pork industry’s discussions with lawmakers:
- California Proposition 12: Include a legislative solution in the final farm bill.
- Swine health: Fund the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan.
- Agricultural labor: Support the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act to address year-round labor needs.
- Trade: Urge the Trump administration to quickly complete the review needed to renew the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA.
Lawmakers Meet With Pork Producers
Conference attendees were briefed by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson of Pennsylvania and Rep. Shontel Brown of Ohio.
NPPC officers also met with U.S. Department of Agriculture officials responsible for administering federal programs used by pork producers.
The organization presented Ernst and Thompson with its inaugural “Bringing Home the Bacon” congressional award, recognizing what NPPC described as their contributions and leadership on issues affecting pork producers.
More Than 1,100 Attend NPPC Baconfest
The Legislative Action Conference concluded with NPPC’s annual Baconfest congressional reception.
More than 1,100 people, including members of Congress and congressional staff, embassy officials and pork industry stakeholders, attended the event to discuss industry priorities and sample pork products.
The reception also included one of the event’s signature attractions — the bacon wall.
NPPC said the conference provided pork producers with an opportunity to speak directly with elected officials about policies they believe will affect their farms, livelihoods and ability to pass their operations to the next generation.
Source: National Pork Producers Council. Reporting based on information provided by NPPC. Statements regarding Proposition 12 and other legislative priorities represent NPPC and participating producers’ positions.
