Last week Iowa Senators Chuck Grassley (R) & Joni Ernst (R) joined with Senators Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Richard Burr (R-NC), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) in putting forth the Responding to Epidemic Losses and Investing in the Economic Future for Producers Act of 2020 (RELIEF Act). The bill looks at how livestock producers can be reimbursed for the costs of having to dispose of perfectly healthy animals during the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused many meatpackers to idle.
Nick Giordano is the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) Vice President and Counsel for Global Government Affairs. He says that the NPPC is hopeful this bill can be included as part of more COVID relief in July. Pork producers stand to see losses in the neighborhood of $5 billion this year. Giordano explains how the RELIEF Act will help.
Many pork producers were already suffering the effects of multiple trade wars and negotiations before the pandemic hit. The continued pressure is overwhelming.
Giordano says it is the mission of the NPPC is to help keep as many producers in business as possible.
The NPPC is calling on Congress to act quickly on this bill to help all livestock producers who have been affected. Congress is still officially on the Independence Day recess.
