STRATEGIC INVESTMENT PROGRAM

Download Strategic Investment Program Form

SIP Market Hogs Update Form

SIP Successes - NPPA & IPPA

The Illinois Pork Producers Association and the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) are at the table representing Illinois pork producers and industry stakeholders on legislative, regulatory and legal issues. NPPC and IPPA work on behalf of producers on animal welfare, environmental and trade issues that affect producers' production costs. Now, IPPA and NPPC want producers to come to the table to support the efforts both organizations by supporting the Strategic Investment / Producer Consent Program.

1) What is the Strategic Investment / Producer Consent Program? The Strategic Investment / Producer Consent Program started September 1, 2002. It is a voluntary funding program where producers and industry stakeholders can invest to fund legislative and regulatory programs of the National Pork Producers Council and their state association.

2) What is the rate for the Strategic Investment / Producer Consent deduction? The rate is 10 cents per $100 in value for market hogs, feeder pigs, weaner pigs and seedstock.

3) Who receives the funding from Strategic Investment / Producer Consent dollars? NPPC and state pork organizations split the proceeds. For 2003, a minimum of 25% and a maximum of 50% of the funds collected will be returned to the state organization (state of origin). The remaining 50-75% will go to NPPC.

4) Will I be an IPPA member if I participate in Strategic Investment / Producer Consent? YES, all producers participating in Producer Consent will be IPPA members and receive all the associated IPPA membership benefits.

4) How will the funds be used? IPPA will use these funds to work on legislative and regulatory issues in Illinois. NPPC will spend the monies to represent the pork industry on national and international legislative and regulatory issues. Also, NPPC will continue to monitor and direct efforts in areas of trade policy, environmental regulation and animal welfare policies.

5) How was the Strategic Investment / Producer Consent program started? Volunteer producer delegates at the 2002 National Pork Producers (NPPC) annual meeting passed a resolution to begin the Strategic Investment / Producer Consent program. Driven by the need to have a stronger advocacy voice in the areas of legislation, trade and regulation, the delegates supported this type of funding mechanism.

6) How do I participate in the Strategic Investment / Producer Consent? Producers can participate in the program by completing a producer consent form. Return the form to the IPPA or NPPC. This form will be shared with the appropriate packer/market. The deduction will begin only after a producer consent form is completed.

7) How does the Strategic Investment / Producer Consent program differ from the Mandatory checkoff? The Strategic Investment / Producer Consent program is voluntary. A producer can decide to participate at any time. The funds can be used for any purpose that NPPC or IPPA chooses. Checkoff funds cannot be used for lobbying and can only be used for promotion, research and consumer information.

8) Why was the Strategic Investment / Producer Consent program started? In recent years many issues facing pork producers have involved a legislative or regulatory component. The Strategic Investment / Producer Consent program was developed to assure that producers could deal with legislative and regulatory issues at state and national levels.