Washington - The National Pork Producers Council expressed its appreciation for USDA's quick response to the urgency of the low cash hog price crisis.
“This is a step that will help U.S. pork producers by encouraging packers to operate at full capacity,” said Donna Reifschneider, NPPC President. “We appreciate this immediate and meaningful signal indicating USDA is aware of the crisis,” she said.
“We believe this is a key component of a comprehensive assistance package. We continue to work with USDA and its Pork Crisis Task Force to develop additional intervention initiatives to address the capacity and liquidity crises facing pork producers.”
USDA will accelerate pork purchases by buying up to 40 million pounds of pork picnics and fresh hams to help reduce the existing supply of pork. USDA is accepting offers on Dec. 23 at 2:30 p.m. EST with acceptance by Dec. 30. The boneless picnics and hams must originate from hogs slaughtered on Saturdays and/or Sundays and only from plants that are operating at full capacity.
Meat Industry Insights News Service
P.O. Box 553
Northport, NY 11768
Phone: 631-757-4010
Fax: 631-757-4060
E-mail: sflanagan@sprintmail.com
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