Key Updates Impacting the Pork Industry: Dietary Guidelines, Rodenticide Rules, and Port Labor Negotiations

Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Recommends Eating Less Red Meat
The advisory committee for the 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans has issued a recommendation to reduce red meat consumption and increase plant-based proteins like beans, lentils, and soy. This change, if adopted by USDA and HHS, could reframe federal nutrition guidelines, affecting programs like school lunches. The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) has strongly opposed the recommendation, citing scientific evidence supporting the nutritional value of animal-based proteins like pork, which provide essential amino acids and nutrients at a low caloric cost. NPPC Vice President and Iowa pork producer Rob Brenneman emphasized that “animal protein consumption is a vital component of a healthy, sustainable diet.”

EPA Finalizes New Rule Limiting Rodenticide Use
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized regulations requiring farmers to obtain certification or hire certified applicators to use rodenticides. While the EPA aims to protect endangered species, the rule will likely increase costs, reduce access to rodenticides, and lead to higher feed grain losses due to rodents. NPPC and other agricultural groups have called for additional research before finalizing such impactful measures. Rodenticides remain a critical tool for managing pests that destroy crops, spread disease, and increase farms’ environmental footprints. Without them, consumers are likely to face rising food prices.

Coalition Urges Port Operators to Resolve Labor Disputes
A coalition of 268 agricultural and business organizations, including NPPC, has urged dockworkers and port operators to finalize a new labor agreement before the current extension expires on Jan. 15. The pork industry relies heavily on ports for exports, with about 60% of U.S. pork exports transported by ocean freight, primarily from East Coast and Gulf ports. Port disruptions, such as strikes or lockouts, risk delaying shipments of perishable products like chilled pork, potentially costing producers millions in losses and jeopardizing international customer relationships.

Takeaway:
These developments highlight critical challenges facing the pork industry, from dietary policy shifts to regulatory hurdles and export logistics. Stakeholders must remain vigilant in addressing these issues to safeguard producers’ interests and maintain the industry’s global competitiveness.