Chris Harris, Senior Editor, ThePigSite.com reports from World Pork Expo, Iowa.

NPPC vice president of State Relations, Pat McGonegle

Speaking at World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa, USA, NPPC vice president of State Relations, Pat McGonegle, said the three year old LEADR programme helping the organisation advise on numerous issues had become an instrumental tool at the NPPC.

The programme has built up a network of trained advisors, who help to explain to non-agricultural people how the pig industry in the US operates and to answer specific issues facing the industry.

Mr McGonegle said the LEADR programme which is a legislative and education resource has now trained more than 500 people across the US to act as advisors.

The group is given media training and also how to talk to legislators, trying in all facets of the pig industry.

"It shows that people are prepared to give time and resources to the industry," said Mr McGonegle.

Among the issues the group covers are welfare, the Farm Bill and environment and it has also had an impact on discussions with representatives in both Congress and the Senate.

The NPPC has a target to recruit 600 people into the LEADR scheme, which is expected to be reached by the end of the year.

The NPPC has also been building its membership, recruiting 305 new members this year and the organisation is targeting sow grower co-ops and custom feeders to boost membership further.