Printable Version

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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