Pork producers know what they want in a 2012 Farm Bill, they’re just not sure if and when it will happen.

Former National Pork Producers Council president Sam Carney of Iowa, co-chair of the organization’s farm bill policy task force, gave an update on the legislation, which happened at almost the very moment the Senate voted to advance the bill to the floor. “Best case scenario is that Senators Stabenow and Roberts are able to hold off controversial amendments and the farm bill passes by the end of next week,” he said. However, he added that it is “unlikely” both houses will pass a bill and get it signed by the president before the current bill expires on September 30.

Carney says the Senate version of the bill includes several issues important to pork producers. “Catastrophic event insurance program study – very important to us,” he said. Also important to NPPC are reforming the beginning farmer and rancher program to allow better access to capitol, reduction in the CRP to address feed availability concerns, increasing swine research funding and maintaining funding for foreign market development and access programs.

Listen to Sam’s farm bill update here: Former NPPC president Sam Carney
2012 World Pork Expo Photo Album