[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 100 (Thursday, May 28, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H2326]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 AMERICA'S LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY IN CRISIS

  (Mr. HAGEDORN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HAGEDORN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because America's livestock 
industry is in crisis. In southern Minnesota and across the country, 
this has particularly hit our hog farmers. They are in big trouble. 
Packing plant disruptions have led to excess hogs and the actual 
destruction of animals and not even using the meat for the food supply.
  The situation is so bad that, this week, I introduced legislation to 
mitigate losses in this area. I introduced the Livestock Producer 
Assistance for COVID-19 Damages Act. This bill will expand the USDA's 
Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Catfish 
Program to cover income losses for farmers and producers who have been 
unable to market livestock due to packing plant closures.
  In Minnesota, our hog operators make a significant contribution to 
our State's economy. According to a study from the University of 
Minnesota, current disruptions in the pork supply chain, coupled with 
the current 15 percent unemployment rate, could result in an estimated 
loss of $660 million of economic activity in our State. The researchers 
also concluded that a 15 percent drop in hog production would lead to 
an estimated loss of 2,100 Minnesota jobs.
  While these statistics are rightfully alarming, this problem is not 
unique to Minnesota. States like South Dakota, Missouri, North 
Carolina, Virginia, and Iowa have similar issues. Pork and livestock 
producers are suffering huge losses, financial and otherwise, and all 
through no fault of their own.
  I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in 
supporting this bill. We must stand with our family farmers and defend 
the interests of rural communities, the American economy, and our food 
supply.

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