Strategic Plan and Budget Highlight National Pork Board Meeting

Des Moines meeting will map out year ahead for pork industry.

Farm Futures

11/11/2008

In July the National Pork Board identified five issues that it felt were essential to address as part of its strategic plan for the coming year. Those issues were safeguarding and expanding international markets; the trust and image of the industry and its products; the development of human capital; the competitive advantage for U.S. pork; and domestic pork expenditures. The National Pork Board is meeting Tuesday and Wednesday in Des Moines to finalize their decisions on the strategic plan and budget.

A $55 million budget was put together by a panel of about 60 producers representing the diverse sector of the pork industry and sent to the board in September. The strategic plan and budget will be voted on this week and sent for final approval to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

Also on this week's agenda will be committee reports and discussion of issues of interest. Those include planning for the 2009 Pork Industry Forum in Dallas in March; a report on the summer-long The Other White Meat tour; an update on the board's carbon footprint work; plus reports on the "We Care" responsible pork initiative and on recent animal care issues.

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