US farmers seek gov't help in boosting pork prices

US (September 13, 2002) - Faced with slumping hog prices, about 100 U.S. farmers will converge at the Capitol next week to ask for more government purchases of pork products for the federal school lunch program, an industry group spokeswoman said on Thursday.

The U.S. Agriculture Department on Monday purchased $30 million worth of ham, pork patties, sausage and ground pork for U.S. school lunches, temporarily sending hog prices higher. The purchase was the largest by the government since 1998.

Kara Flynn, spokeswoman for the National Pork Producers Council, said up to 100 pork producers will meet with lawmakers next week to ask for their help in convincing USDA to buy even more pork.

Hog prices paid to farmers have slumped in recent months on rapidly growing U.S. supplies of all kinds of meat.

The USDA regularly buys meat, eggs, fruits and vegetables for its National School Lunch program, which provides 27 million children with low-cost or free meals daily.

Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman has not ruled out additional pork purchases. Flynn said farmers were not expected to meet with USDA officials.

Although it would like to see hog prices higher, the National Pork Producers Council said it was satisfied with the amount of pork the USDA has purchased.

Source : Reuters