Washington, D.C. - Following President Trump’s announcement to invoke the Defense Production Act to aid the supply chain for pork producers across America, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06), Congressman Jim Hagedorn (MN-01) and Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) issued the following statement:

"In recent weeks, I have expressed to President Trump and his Administration the need for support for our pork producers,” said Emmer. “These producers were faced with an unforeseen downturn of an uncertain length due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The supply chain came to a grinding halt, and the closure of pork processing plants across the Midwest alone resulted in more than 40 percent of pork processing capacity to go offline, with more closures in sight. These closures typically process more than 100,000 pigs a day, leaving farm inventory with no place to go."

Emmer concluded, “I applaud President Trump’s announcement, and thank him for his swift action and response to this issue I raised. Now more than ever, the agriculture community needs our attention and assistance. This action is a testament to the Administration’s commitment to them."

"I applaud and thank President Trump for his decisive leadership. Reopening our meat packing and food processing plants in a safe and efficient manner is critical to sustaining our pork and livestock industries, protecting the wellbeing of our agricultural workforce, and maintaining America’s food supply, which is a national security issue,” said Hagedorn. “Southern Minnesota is home to great family livestock farmers, and I will keep doing everything possible to help them, and all of agriculture, bridge this pause in our economy. We must sustain our farmers and our rural way of life."

"I am grateful the Trump Administration has announced it is using the Defense Production Act to reopen pork processors,” said Stauber. “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, pork processors across Minnesota and the nation have been forced to close, leaving producers with no other option but to euthanize livestock while Minnesota’s hog farmers and producers continue to suffer heavy financial losses and hardship. The pork industry is vital to Minnesota’s economy, so I applaud the President for taking the necessary steps to keep the pork supply chain steady and avoid a food shortage."