The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) held a press conference Tuesday to outline the impact COVID-19 is having on the industry, causing hog values to plummet, and the immediate relief they are requesting from the administration and Congress.

NPPC identified several measures federal policy makers could take to help the industry, including purchasing $1 billion in pork to clear out a backed-up meat supply, supplementing agency food bank programs facing increased demand due to rising unemployment. NPPC is also requesting equitable direct payments to producers participants without eligibility restrictions.

NPPC is also seeking a legislative fix to emergency loan programs that have left farmers behind. Approximately 10,000 family hog farms are in jeopardy because they do not have access to much-needed capital offered by the Small Business Administration. NPPC urges Congress to increase the cap on qualifying businesses to those that employee up to 1,500 and to make agricultural businesses eligible for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

The call featured NPPC President Howard “A.V.” Roth of Wisconsin, CEO Neil Dierks, Global Government Affairs VP Nick Giordano, and Michael Formica, Domestic Affairs & Counsel, Iowa State University economist Dr. Dermot Hayes, Director of International Affairs Maria Zieba, Vice President of Industry Relations Dallas Hockman, and President-Elect Jen Sorenson.