Thank you very much for permitting us to speak to you today about the regulations covering interstate movement of pigs. I have been with Murphy Family Farms for almost 23 years having joined them in 1973. At the time, I increased their employment number to twenty four. Through this experience there has been much change and, yes, the industry continues to have substantial need for movement of animals interstate.

My thoughts evolved around looking at this issue first from a review of the needs or reasons why we move animals interstate. The first thought that came to me was that of moving breeding stock to producers throughout the U.S. from areas of less dense population hopefully where the animals were multiplied. These animals mostly move as mature ones of breeding age; however, they can move as feeder breeders, or as early weaned pigs. In any case, to be qualified the shipper does an extensive amount of testing. Also, identification of individual animals is necessary to maintain genetic ID. Both testing and identity are normally expected by the customer who is willing to pay for its cost. Our flexibility of moving breeding stock around the U.S. permits their production in low disease risk production areas and enables producers to utilize the genetics of their choice. The control relative to breeding animals must be good because of the high exposure in the event an error is made.

The second reason animals are being moved interstate is to enhance health. When breeding herds are located in areas of low animal density, the total disease risk is lowered and thus enhances health. This also is a production method that facilitates three site production which also is proven to reduce disease impact from the breeding herd. This method encourages lot movements and all-in all-out finishing which also reduces impact from disease or enhances health.

The third reason or need for interstate movement is to improve the competitiveness of our industry. When animals can move across state lines it permits breeding animals to be located where climates are less harsh and facility costs can be reduced for sows and nursery pigs. Sows and pigs have a relatively low feed requirement when compared to finishing; therefore, moving finishing animals into areas of adequate lower cost feed supplies will be an on-going challenge for the industry to become more competitive with their real competition: poultry and beef, the other available meats. Animal transport cost of the mature animal is expensive; therefore, feeding animals in close distances of major processing facilities will also be a competitive challenge for the industry throughout the future.

With these needs and reasons for flexible movement of pigs interstate reviewed and better defined, I believe we all can see and realize that our regulations should be structured with the following criteria given consideration:

1. Enhance health at no economic disadvantages to other meat industries:

poultry, beef, turkeys.

2. Adjust to accommodate movement of animals of the various life stages: early weaned pigs, feeder pigs, mature animals.

3. Adjust to recognize retained ownership sales as well as any other means of commerce.

 

If we will all recognize that the industry continues to change and make every effort to keep up and adjust to those changes, we will continue to get closer to our NPPC stated goal of being the meat of choice by the year 2000.

Thank you for your attention.