Photo: AgNet
Over the past few years, the Trump administration has screwed over the farming industry. With the Trade War started and continuing on (despite the coronavirus), the farming and agriculture business continues to take massive hits to their local and global economy. I have written about this over the past few years (see blog indexes -- here and here). The importing and exporting of goods has taken a toll on the industry. From the swine flu in China to the coronavirus, the industry has taken hits that have questioned the continued existence looking into the future. How bad is it? Keep on reading.
Reporting by Politico Agriculture highlights the current times for the Pork Industry:
CORONAVIRUS HITS HOG FARMERS, PORK PROCESSORS: The National Pork Producers Council said Tuesday that the loss of foodservice customers, a drop in pork exports and a series of slaughterhouse closures across the country is wreaking havoc on the industry, writes Pro Ag's Liz Crampton.Farm economists with Kerns & Associates and Iowa State University estimate that hog farmers will lose nearly $37 per pig because of the market turmoil, adding up to about $5 billion for the rest of 2020. The shutdown of major processing sites like the Smithfield site in Sioux Falls, S.D., has caused a surplus of hogs, driving down their value."We are taking on water fast. Immediate action is imperative, or a lot of hog farms will go under," said NPPC President Howard A.V. Roth. For example, the group is asking USDA to buy up more than $1 billion in pork products, helping to clear out the backed-up meat supply and to lift the financial pressure on producers. Those goods could be redirected to food banks, where demand is surging.NPPC also wants "equitable" treatment for pork producers, without eligibility restrictions, under USDA's upcoming farm stimulus program, which the department is expected to unveil as soon as this week.
The pork industry is just one of many sectors hit hard by the coronavirus. As enterprises across the world lose massive amounts of money daily, one cannot help but wonder what is holding back the Trump administration from enacting legislation on a federal level to save the nation from decline.
States have done a fair amount on their own. Although, as the numbers of coronavirus deaths start to decline with no testing done, what will happen when people go back to work? Especially with the fact that extensive examination would reveal the population with antibodies that are linked to the coronavirus. With the significant losses happening daily, the nation needs federal action now. Industries like the pork industry should not be bearing the entire crux of the coronavirus and the Trade War with China.
Related Blog Posts:
Ralph Nader: The Week We Should Not Forget for Our Own Sake
Societies New Normal Post Coronavirus Pandemic
SNAP Recipients Need Online Access Now -- Start Working On It Congress and USDA!!
No comments:
Post a Comment