The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Office of the Inspector General asking for an investigation into the National Pork Board's use of federal checkoff dollars to support National Pork Producer Council's (NPCC) lobbying. The Pork Board is prohibited by law from spending funds to influence legislation. Records obtained by HSUS indicate the Pork Board sponsored and participated in NPPC Alliance program activities. The National Pork Board collects money from producers through the pork checkoff program. Jonathan Lovvorn, senior vice president and chief council for animal protection litigation at HSUS said, "the National Pork Producers council lobbies for large factory farms at the expense of family farms and animal … [Read more...]