policy

SwineCast 0706 Show Notes:

• National Grocers Association VP of Public Affairs, Greg Ferrara offers his insight on today's social media world as he shares with the recent Stakeholders Summit of the Animal Agriculture Alliance meeting in Alexandria, VA.   In the case of consumer concerns and food safety issues, "We can't wait a day or two.  We've got to respond in minutes!" and when a problem surfaces, "Let the know we've taken care of it immediately."  For both producers and retailers, loss of trust in food safety equates to loss of customers at the counter. 

What are some of the swine health programs run under the USDA and how are they doing? Dr. Troy Bigelow provides an update on the programs, where additional surveillance is needed, and what the future looks like. Take away: surveillance activities will continue to evolve and become more comprehensive.

SwineCast 0705 Show Notes:

• The Animal Ag Alliance Stakeholder Summit in Arlington, VA marked the organization's 25th year of raising awareness of the value of animal agriculture to legislators and media. Several presentations will be coming online in the next few days, however this breakdown of the current status of livestock provisions in the Farm Bill discussion is specially pertinent. Anne Hazlett, chief counsel to the Senate Ag Committee, and Pete Thomson, senior professional staffer with the House Ag Committee, provide the highlights.

SwineCast 0704 Show Notes:

• The United Egg Producers moved to take control of their destiny by negotiating an agreement with the Humane Society of the United States. However, the rest of the livestock industry believes this could open the door for federal legislation and inspection far beyond the original agreement. National Pork Producers Council Vice-President Dr. Howard Hill joined a panel of beef producers to work through the issues and possible outcomes.
• United Egg Producers Gene Gregory's presentation at the National Institute for Animal Agriculture's annual meeting [video].

It seems like there is a lot of opportunity for 'mischief' in Washington right now. We share a conversation with producer Bill Luckey on his congressional testimony about HR 3798. A.K.A. Egg Bill, is the bill which was the outcome of a United Egg Producers/Humane Society of the United States agreement. FYI, for more information on the UEP/HSUS agreement, UEP president Gene Gregory shares background with attendees at the National Institute for Animal Agriculture [video]. We're also seeing action on livestock use of antibiotics. NPPC Vice-President Dr. Howard Hill is offering his testimony today in Washington. We will be speaking with him after his return from the hill, so check back at SwineCast.com for an update.

SwineCast 0702 Show Notes:

• Producer organizations are getting in front of legislative staffers with your concerns on the Egg Bill (House Resolution 3798).  Add your voice to keep this from landing on your front porch.