Investigation Finds $66 Million Pipeline From Mandatory Pork Checkoff to Industry Lobby

Vox found that $66 million in mandatory pork checkoff funds moved from the National Pork Board to the National Pork Producers Council since 2004 through trademark and real-estate deals. Critics say the arrangements subsidize lobbying that can work against smaller and higher-welfare hog farmers.

Follow the Money

Every hog seller must pay the checkoff, yet its board transferred funds to an industry lobby dominated by industrial producers. Even without tracing specific dollars to lobbying, the arrangements let mandatory farmer payments strengthen an organization fighting animal-welfare rules and other policies some contributors support.