U.S. Beef and Pork Exports Fell; National Farmers Union Like New Spending Bill

The National Farmers Union commended the U.S. House Appropriations Committee for passing a spending bill that did not include a rider prohibiting funding for implementation of regulations ensuring fairness in marketing. NFU President Roger Johnson stated “It’s wonderful that after all of these years, key regulations overseen by the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard Administration will finally be funded.” Johnson’s comments were made after the House Appropriations Committee passed an agriculture appropriations bill that for the first time in years did not include a rider precluding funding for key changes to GIPSA regulations adopted in the 2008 Farm Bill.

U.S. beef and pork exports fell in May below year-ago levels. The U.S. Meat Export Federation reported the sluggish month followed an encouraging performance in April. Beef exports for the month of May dropped 14 percent from the year ago level, while value of beef exports dipped lower year-over-year for the first time since January, reaching only $556.7 million, down six percent. Pork exports dropped two percent from a year ago while the value of pork exports fell 18 percent.