MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Smith

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING CONGRESS TO GRANT FEDERAL ASSISTANCE TO HOG FARMERS DURING THE CURRENT AGRICULTURE COMMODITY CRISIS.

WHEREAS, a glut of live pigs on the market, exacerbated by a sudden drop in slaughter house capacity, has pushed the price of pigs down to levels not seen since the Great Depression; and

WHEREAS, hog prices fell from Fifty-five Cents a pound two years ago to as low as Eight Cents a pound in late 1998; and

WHEREAS, the record low hog prices have forced some farmers to quit and pushing others deeper in debt; and

WHEREAS, the drop in hog prices is the most serious agricultural crisis in this century for an individual commodity; and

WHEREAS, at the same time, the cost of pork at the grocery store has barely changed in the last year, prompting accusations of gouging; and

WHEREAS, the industry, which has lost $2 Billion over the past twelve months, is asking the federal government for help:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby urge Congress to grant federal assistance to hog farmers during the current agricultural commodity crisis.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the United States congressional delegation and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.