September 14, 2000

The National Pork Board has urged all eligible pork producers to vote in the upcoming referendum on whether the board should have a future or not. Inperson voting will be held at local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices on Sept. 19, 20 and 21.

Producers who owned and sold one or more pigs between Aug. 18, 1999, and Aug. 17, 2000, are eligible to vote, including importers and youth. Producers must vote in the county where they conduct business with the FSA or the county where their pork production business is located. Absentee ballots are available now and can be acquired by contacting a local FSA office. Absentee ballots will be accepted through Sept. 21.

The national pork checkoff program, implemented in the fall of 1986, includes all producers and importers who pay an assessment of 45 cents per $100 value of sales. The funds collected from the checkoff are used for promotion, research and consumer information programs that are done on behalf of and available to all producers.

John Kellogg, Yorkville, IL, producer and president of the board, said, "The checkofffunded Pork. The Other White Meat campaign has increased consumer sales of pork phenomenally, and pork consumption is at an alltime high."

According to a study by Northwestern University, The Other White Meat campaign is the fifth most recognized slogan in U.S. advertising. It was the only commodity that made the list. In addition an independent study by Texas A&M found at least a 5 to 1 return on investment to producers over the period of the checkoff.

"The use of checkoff funds also has greatly increased pork s use in foodservice," Kellogg says. Pork s use in fast food and other restaurants has increased 17 percent in the last three years alone. That growth is more than the foodservice industry as a whole grew during the same time period.

The question on the ballot will read, "Do you favor continuing the Pork Checkoff Program? Yes or No." A yes vote supports the continuation of the national pork checkoff program; a no vote opposes the continuation of the program. A simple majority is needed to decide the vote.

Producers do not need to show proof of sales to vote, according to the pork board, but they must sign a statement on the ballot affirming that they are eligible according to the rules. FSA offices will post a list of all producers who have voted to allow any person to challenge others who they believe are not eligible. Producers whose votes are challenged will be required to submit proof of eligibility to the FSA office.

More information about the referendum rules can be viewed on the Internet at: www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/mpb/pork/pkrefrule.htm. Checkofffunded program information can be accessed through the National Pork Board s website at www.porkboard.org.