Agricultural News
Pork Industry's DC Fly-In a Success - Time to Celebrate with a Pork Sandwich
Fri, 16 Sep 2016 15:37:08 CDT
The Great State Fair of Oklahoma is officially in full swing for 2016, which means hungry fairgoers again have a limited opportunity to stop by the Oklahoma Pork Council's Pork Chop Shop to enjoy a delicacy of the other white meat, that only a state fair can provide. While you're there, be sure to visit with OPC President Cathy Vaughn, of Smithfield Foods whom is volunteering at the Pork Chop Shop this year. Farm Director Ron Hays caught up with Vaughn to discuss what the OPC was able to accomplish at their recent fly-in to Washington, DC where they and other members of the pork industry met with legislators to advocate import policies for pork.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, was top on the list of priorities for the pork industry, according to Vaughn. She says although OPC has been assured they have the full support of Oklahoma's delegation, there are still a lot of unknowns as to whether or not a vote will happen this year.
Second on the list - GIPSA (Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration).
"There's a new ruling coming out from the USDA," Vaughn said. "Basically long story short - we thought we put this one to bed several years ago, and it looks like its rearing its head again, so we just want to get ahead of that."
Finally, Vaughn says the pork industry is asking that a provision for funding be included in the upcoming Farm Bill, to prepare in the event of an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease, which would be detrimental not just to swine, but most all farm species as well.
"Really great meetings, it's always good to get out to Washington, but then it's also nice to be back home in Oklahoma," Vaughn said. "We definitely encourage people to come out to the fair. We've got the Pork Chop Shop set up, the smokers are running and the meat is there!"
Cathy Vaughn will join Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays for his weekly In the Field segment on KWTV News9 in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday morning at 6:40 a.m.
To listen to Farm Director Ron Hays speak with Oklahoma Pork Council President Cathy Vaughn on her recent trip to DC, click on the LISTEN BAR below.
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