This week’s NPPC update covers three major topics impacting the pork industry. First, NPPC Chief Legal Strategist Michael Formica led a coalition to appeal the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) recent decision to require sprinkler systems in livestock barns. The NPPC argued that the decision, driven by non-agricultural interests, poses biosecurity risks, is costly for farmers, and lacks a scientific basis. If upheld, fire code changes could mandate sprinklers by 2025, creating significant financial and operational challenges for producers.
Second, NPPC’s Dr. Anna Forseth participated in the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan (U.S. SHIP) discussions, focusing on enhancing biosecurity and surveillance to safeguard swine health. The initiative aims to develop certifications for African swine fever (ASF) and classical swine fever (CSF) to protect trade and support the pork industry’s disease-free status.
Lastly, NPPC’s Dr. Ashley Johnson and Dr. Trachelle Carr met with Codex Alimentarius Commission leadership to discuss U.S. pork priorities. They emphasized the importance of fair trade and science-based food safety standards in international regulations, which play a critical role in maintaining global market access for U.S. pork.
These efforts reflect NPPC’s ongoing commitment to defending pork producers’ interests, advancing swine health initiatives, and ensuring science-driven policies for global trade.
