AJR13: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-1889/2

RCT&MGG:kmg:hmh

1999 - 2000 LEGISLATURE

1999 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 13

January 21, 1999 - Introduced by Representatives Brandemuehl and Ott. Referred to Committee on Rules.

AJR13,1,1 Relating to: memorializing Congress to investigate the crisis in the pork industry.

AJR13,1,3 Whereas, the United States is currently suffering from a national hog market crisis; and

AJR13,1,7 Whereas, over the last year and a half, 3 major pork-packing facilities in the upper Midwest have closed their doors, resulting in reduced slaughter activity of United States hogs and decreased marketing opportunities for Wisconsin's hog industry and for hog market options overall; and

AJR13,1,10 Whereas, the current exchange rate between Canada and the United States is proving to be detrimental to the American pork producer, thereby drawing more Canadian hogs to United States slaughter floors; and

AJR13,1,12 Whereas, serious questions have been raised in the meat-processing industry concerning packing, processing and marketing capacities; and

AJR13,1,15 Whereas, the state of Wisconsin's 3,300-member hog industry is currently in a financial crisis, with hog prices falling to $10 or less per hundredweight, compared to $42 to $43 per hundredweight last year; and

AJR13,2,2 Whereas, Wisconsin pork producers must remain a strong, viable segment of Wisconsin's agricultural economy; now, therefore, be it

AJR13,2,6 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature request the Congress of the United States to take an in-depth look at federal policies and practices that are contributing to the economic crisis that continues to threaten Wisconsin's pork industry; and, be it further

AJR13,2,9 Resolved, That Congress is requested to address the serious questions raised in the meat-processing industry concerning packing, processing and marketing capacities; and, be it further

AJR13,2,13 Resolved, That Congress is requested to also evaluate federal farming policies and pending Environmental Protection Agency rules relating to animal waste management, nonpoint source pollution and the regulation of animal-feeding operations that may also contribute to the hog market crisis; and, be it further

AJR13,2,17 Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide copies of this joint resolution to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States and to each of the senators and representatives from Wisconsin.

AJR13,2,18 (End)