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Representative Angie Craig Discusses Agriculture Priorities with National Pork Producers Council

April 15, 2021

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Angie Craig today spoke with members of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) at the organization's spring Legislative Action Conference. Rep. Craig, a member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, shared her support for U.S. pork producer priorities, including expanded export market opportunities, agriculture worker visa program reform and foreign animal disease prevention.

"Over the past several years, pork producers in Minnesota and across the country have worked tirelessly to overcome adversity – persevering through a pandemic, economic crisis, trade uncertainty, workforce challenges and so much more. They deserve partners in Washington who will work just as hard to defend and strengthen their industry in the years to come," said Representative Craig. "I was thrilled to have an opportunity to meet with members of the National Pork Producers Council today to discuss how I can continue advocating for policies that prioritize and benefit Minnesota's growers and producers in the 117th Congress."

"Rep. Craig has been a strong champion of U.S. agriculture, and her unwavering commitment to Minnesota hog farmers was especially vital this past year when the COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to pork producers and the entire pork supply chain," said NPPC President-Elect Terry Wolters, a Minnesota hog farmer. "Thanks to the assistance of Rep. Craig and other supporters, essential U.S. pork producers were able to maintain the continuity of the pork supply chain, providing an uninterrupted supply of high-quality, affordable protein to consumers here at home and around the globe. We thank Rep. Craig for continuing to advocate on our behalf and look forward to working with her in the future on issues of importance to U.S. pork producers."

Representative Craig recently cosponsored several key pieces of legislation to assist hog farmers, including bills reforming the agriculture labor workforce, extending the Paycheck Protection Program and expanding local meat processing capabilities. Minnesota hog farms generate more than 44,000 jobs and more than $6 billion each year in economic activity. Last year, hog farmers in the state sold 16.9 million market pigs, with sales valued at $2.2 billion.