WASHINGTON, D.C. (Reuters) – The National Pork Producers Council says a settlement has been reached with the United States Department of Agriculture that allows the continuation of a controversial multimillion dollar industry check-off program.
“As a result of the settlement agreement, the mandatory pork checkoff will continue,” the council said.
Last month, the USDA ordered the pork checkoff terminated after a referendum of pork producers voted against it. Small hog producers had complained against the program, saying it was an unwanted tax on their operations and favored corporate producers.
The checkoff requires farmers to pay 45 cents for every $100 (US) worth of hog sales into a fund administrated by the National Pork Board. An estimated $50 million is raised each year for pork promotion and research.
The council said the settlement requires a distinct separation between itself and the pork board, and particularly checkoff-funded programming and non-checkoff initiatives.
