All federal banking and financial institutions should be contacted and urged to work individually with pork producers during this economic crisis. Many pork producers have inquired about the availability of a USDA emergency or disaster guaranteed loan program. Should a program be available to pork producers during these trying times, we are certain many pork producers would qualify. Mr. President, you understand agriculture as well as anyone in the United States. America's pork producers are facing a crisis that necessitates your attention and immediate intervention of the U.S. government.
Time is of the essence.
We believe that failure to act immediately and decisively will result in thousands of hard working pork producers being forced off the farm. We communicated a similar message to Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Richard Rominger earlier this week. The National Pork Producers Council is committed to working with you and your Administration to resolve this economic crisis facing America's pork producers. We ask you to give our emergency request for action your prompt consideration.