Disease and labor between new NPPC leader’s top priorities | Livestock

He grew up on a farm near Columbus Junction, Iowa, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University and his master’s degree from George Washington University.

Humphreys worked as senior vice president with the National Pork Board prior to joining the NPPC. While with the pork board, he helped develop a nationwide outreach plan for producers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also served as executive vice president of the Ohio Pork Council.

IFT: Tell us about your life prior to joining NPPC. Did you have a background in agriculture?

HUMPHREYS: I grew up in Columbus Junction, Iowa, working on a family farm raising hogs, corn and soybeans. My brothers continue running the farm today. Early in my career, I led grassroots efforts for political campaigns and worked on both national pork organizations. Most recently, I served as the Executive Vice President of the Ohio Pork Council, where I oversaw state campaigns and fostered positive relationships with stakeholders and community members.

I am honored to lead the NPPC and I am committed to advancing the organization’s efforts in the future.

IFT: Tell us about NPPC’s role in the pork industry.

HUMPHREYS: As the global voice of the US pork industry, NPPC is focused on fighting for proper legislation and regulation, developing revenue and market opportunities, and protecting producers’ livelihoods for a vibrant industry today and for generations to come.

We work at the federal level and in conjunction with 42 affiliated state associations to ensure that the US pork industry is a consistent and responsible supplier of high-quality pork to domestic and international markets.

IFT: As you talk to your board, what do they feel should be NPPC’s top priorities?

HUMPHREYS: Every day, critical issues are met with meaningful action by NPPC. This year, lobbying efforts are focused on preparing and preventing foreign animal diseases, addressing an agricultural labor shortage and growing pork exports.

Last July, an African swine fever was discovered in the Western Hemisphere for more than 40 years. NPPC is working to secure additional funding for the entry of ports into agricultural agricultural inspectors, large-scale animal disease outbreaks for disease surveillance and diagnostic support, and for additional staff for the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s Veterinary Services.

To address an ongoing labor shortage, producers are working with lawmakers to expand the H-2A visa program to year-round agricultural workers.

NPPC continues to push for open-trade markets, including a pathway to a Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

IFT: Things seem to change rapidly in today’s world. How does NPPC navigate these waters to make sure the industry’s message is being heard?

HUMPHREYS: We have completed a long-range strategic plan that recognizes and prioritizes challenges facing our industry. Producers are aligned and invested in the goals of this plan. NPPC is energized to build on the rich history of the organization’s work and operate more proactively for sustained success. We need to invest in activities both in and beyond Washington, DC, to strengthen relationships with lawmakers and regulators as well as with food companies and states where opposition groups have gained a foothold.

Moving forward, NPPC will look at what lies ahead holistically to identify innovative solutions.

IFT: The US Supreme Court has announced it will hear a challenge to Proposition 12. How important is this to the industry?

HUMPHREYS: The US Supreme Court’s decision to consider the constitutionality of Prop 12 is momentous. For pork producers, the law imposes regulations targeting farming practices outside the borders of California that would stifle interstate and international commerce. The NPPC and the American Farm Bureau Federation argued that Prop 12 violates the US Constitution’s Commerce Clause, which grants Congress the power to regulate trade between states and limits the ability of states to regulate commerce outside their borders.

In addition, the rule sets arbitrary animal housing standards that lack any scientific, technical or agricultural basis and will only inflict economic harm on US hog farmers and consumers.

IFT: Any prospects for a trade pact similar to the TPP agreement?

HUMPHREYS: Over the last 12 years, on average, the United States has been the top pork-exporting country in the world, shipping $ 8.1 billion in pork to more than 199 countries in 2021. Pork producers support joining CPTPP as a way to eliminate tariff and Non-tariff barriers and significant boost to US pork exports to Asian countries and create American jobs.

IFT: What are some newer trade markets that you are developing?

HUMPHREYS: In 2021, NPPC worked with the US Trade Representative and the Philippines government to expand its import quota for pork and cut-in-and-out quota tariffs, resulting in a 78.5% increase in US pork exports. We have engaged with Vietnam to reduce tariffs on US pork to be more competitive with EU and CPTPP countries. NPPC collaborated with the US government on a trade deal with Ecuador that promotes trade facilitation and customs administration and paves the way for developing new agricultural trade policy.

IFT: As you talk to producers, are they optimistic about the future of the pork industry?

HUMPHREYS: Through the strategic planning process and again at the National Pork Industry Forum in March, we have been listening to our producers. Collectively, producers continue to be optimistic. They are eager for industry organizations to work smarter and more collaboratively to accomplish important work on the US pork industry.