NEWS
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
Office of Communications News Room 460-A
Washington, DC 20250-1300
Internet: News @usda.gov   Phone: 202-720-9035
World Wide Web Home Page: http://www.usda.gov
                                                
                             Release No. 0015.01
                       of
     Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman 
         on the Pork Checkoff Referendum
                        
                January 11, 2001


     "Last year, I ordered a referendum on the Pork Checkoff
Program.  As a matter of basic fairness, I believe that
producers deserve the opportunity to vote on this checkoff
program.  It is, after all, a mandatory assessment, akin to
a tax, that all producers must pay even if they disagree
with it.  The checkoff derives its legitimacy from the
support of producers, and pork producers have endured
dramatic changes in their industry since 1988, the year the
checkoff was established and the last time producers were
able to vote on this issue.  So, in addition to upholding
the bedrock democratic principle of the right to vote, it is
appropriate and necessary to determine whether a majority of
pork producers do, in fact, continue to support the
checkoff.

     "The preamble to the referendum rule states that the
checkoff program will be terminated if termination is
favored by a majority of those voting.

     "The results of the referendum conducted between August
18 and September 21, 2000 are 14,396 votes for continuing
the checkoff program and 15,951 votes, a majority, against
continuing the checkoff program.

     "This outcome demonstrates that the Pork Checkoff
Program does not have the support of the producers it serves
and therefore cannot fulfill its stated purpose. 
Accordingly, I am directing USDA's Agricultural Marketing
Service to prepare and issue a final rule to terminate the
order and the program conducted under it.

     "I realize that this decision is of great significance
to the pork industry and to pork producers.  My decision was
not reached lightly.  After carefully considering all points
of view, I have concluded that a program that imposes
mandatory assessments on pork producers and importers must
have the demonstrable support of its participants in order
to achieve the objectives of the law.  The Pork Checkoff
Program does not have that support."

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