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HSUS files complaint with USDA over pork checkoff investments
Story Date: 11/29/2012
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Source: Lisa M. Keefe, MEATINGPLACE, 11/28/12
The Humane Society of the United States filed a complaint with the USDA’s Office of the Inspector General seeking an investigation into the possibility that the National Pork Board has used federal checkoff dollars to support the National Pork Producers Council’s lobbying efforts.
In a release about the complaint, HSUS allege that records it has obtained “reveal annual purchase orders from the Pork Board to sponsor and participate in NPPC Alliance program activities. The Alliance program is described by NPPC as dedicated exclusively to lobbying and other legislative efforts.”
This complaint to the OIG is separate from the lawsuit that HSUS filed against USDA in September, also over allegations that checkoff dollars have been used for pork-related lobbying efforts.
The checkoff program is prohibited from spending funds to influence legislation or government policy.
In response to HSUS's announcement, National Pork Board CEO Chris Novak told Meatingplace, "We [have] watched HSUS use a continuing pattern of legal attacks on the poultry industry which were designed to force them to the table with HSUS. We think the same pattern of attacks is now focused on the pork industry.
"It’s disappointing but we are prepared, and believe that we have made proper investments. We are cognizant of the law, we work closely with USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service to ensure that the investments are proper, and we welcome the chance to have this discussion with USDA or anyone else in terms of the work that we do on behalf of the industry."
Dave Warner, director of communications for the National Pork Producers Council, said in a statement emailed to Meatingplace, "This latest attack by the Humane Society of the United States against America's family pig farmers, like the animal activist's previous ones, won't work and won't scare pig farmers into abandoning practices that protect the well-being of their animals.
"HSUS's charges are baseless, without merit and frivolous. It's claim that pork checkoff funds have been misused is patently and demonstrably false."
For more stories, go to http://www.meatingplace.com/.
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