District Court Upholds Air Reporting Exemptions
A major legal win for U.S. pork producers: the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia sided with NPPC and the EPA, rejecting activist lawsuits seeking to require farms to report routine air emissions to state and local emergency responders. This ruling affirms the exemption established under the FARM Act, saving producers from unnecessary and burdensome reporting. NPPC has been engaged in this fight since 2009, working to ensure regulatory requirements are based on science, not activist pressure.
NPPC Engages on MAHA Strategy
NPPC submitted recommendations to the Make America Healthy Again Commission’s upcoming strategy on food and health. NPPC’s input emphasized science-based definitions for “ultra-processed foods,” preserving access to approved food additives, and maintaining a risk-based approach to evaluating agricultural technologies. NPPC also joined over 30 agricultural groups urging the commission to accept public comments, underscoring the importance of farmer voices in shaping the conversation around food production practices.
Senate Confirms USDA Trade Leader
Luke Lindberg has been confirmed as USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. With deep experience in global trade and agricultural policy, Lindberg will play a key role in market access negotiations and international food assistance programs. NPPC supported his nomination, citing the importance of strong leadership in expanding pork export opportunities.
Feral Swine Control Efforts Update
NPPC’s Animal Health Food Safety Policy Committee met with USDA Wildlife Services in Colorado to review progress in feral swine management. With an estimated $2 billion in annual damages and presence in at least 35 states, feral swine remain a major agricultural and disease risk. Discussions covered surveillance, disease preparedness, and international lessons learned — all critical to safeguarding domestic pork production from threats like African swine fever.
U.S.-EU Trade Deal and Canadian Tariffs
The U.S. has reached a framework agreement with the EU, which includes commitments to address non-tariff barriers affecting U.S. pork exports. While the EU market has historically been limited for U.S. pork, NPPC sees potential for growth if barriers are removed. Meanwhile, tariffs on select Canadian exports have been raised from 25% to 35%, as trade negotiations continue.
Capitol Update Schedule
With Congress on recess until after Labor Day, NPPC’s Capital Update will publish only as needed during the break.
