Source: National Pork Producers Council (NPPC)
In this week’s NPPC update:
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U.S. and China move toward resolving long-standing trade tensions.
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Pork producers press lawmakers to fix California’s Prop 12.
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Agriculture groups urge caution on changes to USMCA.
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Mindy Brashears advances toward USDA Under Secretary confirmation.
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NPPC’s Dr. Jeremy Pittman honored in the Virginia Livestock Hall of Fame.
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Applications open for new pork industry scholarships.
🎧 Listen: Capital Update Audio Version
🇨🇳 U.S. & China Move Toward Trade Resolution
After months of advocacy from agriculture groups, the Trump administration and China have agreed to lower tariffs and resume talks toward a broader trade deal.
China suspended tariffs of up to 15% on some U.S. agricultural imports, including pork.
“In a win for U.S. agriculture, China has suspended its retaliatory tariffs,” said NPPC President Duane Stateler.
China ranked No. 3 for U.S. pork value in 2024, totaling $1.1 billion in exports.
🐷 Producers to Lawmakers: Fix Prop. 12
Producers from major pork-producing states visited Capitol Hill urging Congress to act on California’s Prop. 12, which bans pork from hogs raised in housing that doesn’t meet the state’s standards.
Bills such as the Save Our Bacon Act (H.R. 4673) and the Food Security and Farm Protection Act (S. 1326) aim to preempt similar state laws.
NPPC continues to work with lawmakers “on a solution to the problems created by Prop. 12 and the emerging patchwork of conflicting state laws.”
🌎 Ag Groups Urge Caution on USMCA Changes
NPPC joined more than 125 agriculture organizations urging USTR to proceed carefully when reviewing the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement.
“The agreement has been instrumental in ensuring long-term success,” NPPC noted, highlighting $2.6 billion in pork exports to Mexico and $853 million to Canada last year.
🏛️ Brashears Moves Closer to USDA Role
The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced Mindy Brashears for full Senate confirmation as Under Secretary for Food Safety.
“Finalizing the USDA rule on faster line speeds will be a top priority,” Brashears said.
NPPC strongly supports her nomination.
🐖 NPPC’s Dr. Pittman Inducted into Virginia Livestock Hall of Fame
Dr. Jeremy Pittman, NPPC board member and Smithfield’s Senior Director of Veterinary Services, was inducted into the Virginia Livestock Hall of Fame.
“Dr. Pittman’s leadership of the U.S. swine sector’s approach to animal welfare and health is unmatched,” said NPPC CEO Bryan Humphreys.
🎓 New Scholarships Open for Pork Students
NPPC’s National Pork Industry Foundation launched the Swine Legacy Scholarship Program, offering three $5,000 awards annually for students pursuing swine-related education and research.
Applications for 2026 scholarships are open until December 1.
Learn more at 👉 www.nppc.org
