About Pork Checkoff
At National Pork Board (NPB), we are driven to meet consumer expectations guided by pork producers. We aspire to do what is right for people, pigs and the planet.
NPB leads as a catalyst and connector to add value and build trust among those who produce, process, sell and consume pork worldwide.
We are agile and accountable to clearly define current priorities, and we prepare and lead the industry into an ever-changing future. We are dedicated to understanding and meeting the needs of U.S. pork stakeholders.
Empowered by the Pork Act and Order, we achieve our strategic objectives through promotion, research and education.
The National Pork Board
A 15-member Board of Directors oversees NPB and Pork Checkoff funds. Each year, Pork Act Delegates, appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, have the responsibility to elect members to the Board, set the Pork Checkoff assessment rate, and establish the return-to-state rate which provides funding to the designated State Pork Associations.
The Chief Executive Officer reports to the Board and is responsible for NPB’s project and program implementation and staff in four working areas:
- Communications, Producer and State Engagement
- Demand Enhancement
- Swine Health, Production and Sustainability
- Administration
What is the Pork Checkoff rate?
U.S. pork producers and importers pay $0.35 per $100 of value when pigs are sold and when pigs or pork products are brought into the United States.
When is the Pork Checkoff assessed?
Weaned pigs, feeder pigs, market hogs and seed stock are the means by which producers are assessed. For example, a feeder pig producer is assessed when the pig is sold for the first time. If the animal is sold as a feeder pig a second time, there is no assessment. However, an assessment is collected on the sale of the pig when the animal is sold as a market hog. The same producer is never assessed twice for the same animal.
Who is responsible for collecting the funds?
Pig marketers, including packers and dealers, are responsible for collecting assessments, except in the cases of seed stock and farm-to-farm sales, which are also covered under the law. In the case of seed stock, the seller or breeder is required to remit funds in farm-to-farm sales. It is common for feeder pig producers who have numerous producer customers to remit the Checkoff as a convenience to their customers.
Is it possible to get a refund of the assessment?
No. The Pork Checkoff is a national program designed so all pork producers and importers participate in the program and its benefits.
How are the producer’s interests represented?
Annually, the nation’s pork producers elect fellow producers to represent their state in the Pork Act Delegate Body. States are represented in proportion to their level of hog production. Each state is eligible to have at least two representatives.
The delegates meet during the annual Pork Industry Forum, typically in early March, to determine the recommended rate of assessment and the amount of funds returned to states. The law requires that each state pork producer association receive a minimum of 16.5 percent of assessments generated in that state. The current rate of return to each state varies from 16.5 to 39 percent, according to the three-year average number of hogs marked in the state.
Who administers and decides how the money is spent?
The 15 elected members of the board and NPB staff are responsible for the collection, distribution and program accountability of Pork Checkoff investments. Those nominated to serve on the board are appointed for three-year terms by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
Where does the Pork Checkoff money go?
Collections and reports are remitted monthly to the National Pork Board. These reports must state the number of hogs marketed, the gross value, the amount of assessments made and the state of origin of the marketed animals. By federal law, this information is confidential. Only figures generated from multiple or statewide data can be made public.
Failure to comply with these collection requirements can result in fines of up to $1,000 for each unreported sale and the payment of 1.5 percent interest per month on late payments.
How are Pork Checkoff funds used?
NPB executes specific programs in the areas of promotion, research and education. No funds may be used for lobbying or to influence government policy.
Promotion
Pork Checkoff-funded promotions are designed to increase domestic pork sales through consumer, retail and food service outreach. Foreign promotions for U.S. pork funded by the Pork Checkoff have helped to move the U.S. from a net importer to a net exporter of pork.
Research
Pork Checkoff-funded research is administered in all areas of pork production, processing and human nutrition to develop a higher quality and more profitable product in the competitive meat protein market.
Research funds are invested in animal welfare, environmental and production studies that help producers meet the challenges of responsible pork production. Pork Checkoff funds are also used to find new pork products for our growing consumer base.
Producer Education
Access to the latest technologies and information is often the key to a producer’s ability to be competitive. Pork Checkoff-funded seminars, workshops, videos, digital tools and other instructional materials are available to all producers. Topics range from employee management to producer issues to genetics.
Consumer Education
Food editors, chefs, journalists and other food trend influencers in the U.S. receive pork industry information on a regular basis. Pork Checkoff funds are also used to create information about how pork fits into a healthy diet available to health professionals, registered dietitians, teachers and others.
