“Governor Johanns has a strong background in both agriculture and international trade issues that are critical for U.S. pork producers, as increasing exports will continue to shape the economic health of our industry,“ said Berry, a pork producer from Greencastle, Ind. “President Bush has tapped a top-notch agricultural leader, and we are very pleased with this appointment.“

Governor Johanns comes from the fifth largest pork production state in the nation, according to Berry, and has a strong background as an advocate for agriculture. “Governor Johanns has some challenges ahead of him in terms of managing farm program spending and writing the 2007 Farm Bill,“ he said. “But, we believe with his knowledge and experience he is more than up to the task.“

“NPPC looks forward to working with Gov. Johanns and will urge him to implement key issues for U.S. pork producers such as continuing to open new markets for U.S. pork, maintaining a free market system by ensuring that accurate and timely market information is available to producers and continuing to help producers maintain the health and safety of the U.S. swine herd by aggressively implementing a national animal identification system,“ Berry said.

Source: National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) - 2nd December 2004