WASHINGTON— The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) stated its disappointment in the latest proposal by Congressional leadership to not pass a new farm bill in 2024 and not come up with a solution for California Prop 12 on the federal level.

“Pork producers do not have the luxury of waiting for Congress to pass a new, five-year farm bill next year,” said Lori Stevermer, president of NPPC. “After years of losing money and forcing family farms out of business, we needed the certainty to make decisions yesterday. Congress’ complete disregard and inability to adequately provide assurance for producers is sure to make this a bleak holiday season for many farming families across the country. America’s pork producers have continually raised our voices and have ultimately been ignored by Congress through its failure to provide a solution to the problems created by Prop. 12: increasing our operating costs, creating future business uncertainty and raising consumer prices.”

The most recent deal presented by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R- La.) brought plans to keep the federal government open until March 14. A partial government shutdown will happen unless a bill is passed by Dec. 20 by the House and Senate and signed by the president. 

Since its release on Dec. 17, President-elect Donald Trump came out against the proposed bill in its current form. 

Some parts of the spending bill include an extension of the farm bill by one year and $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers. The 2018 Farm Bill was already extended once in 2023, but a new one was slated to be completed this year.