Public Policy

Producers Can Impact Policy

Lobbying efforts by the N.C. Pork Council (NCPC) take a two-pronged approach (1) NCPC staff members keep a constant watch over legislation that could potentially impact the state’s pork industry, and (2) Producers communicate with the elected leaders in their districts regarding bills that are considered by the General Assembly. These grassroots communications are extremely important to the NCPC’s success in the area of public policy.

That includes one-on-one discussions between you and the elected officials who represent your district. Legislators value the opinion of NCPC as a state organization, but they also want to hear from the people in their districts – the people who actually go to the polls and vote for them.

Following are a few tips for communicating with your elected officials: •Get to know your legislators before you need them. It’s important to build trust and camaraderie before a potentially controversial issue arises. Make a point to say “hello” when you see them out in the district, at the grocery store or a restaurant. Don’t bombard them initially with a lot of issues. Be friendly and courteous first. Then, you can follow-up with a visit or a phone call to “get down to business.”

•When you are calling the lawmaker’s office to express an opinion about a particular bill, be as specific as possible. Know the bill number or the title of the bill. Be concise and let them know your opinion with two or three talking points.

•When you are writing to a legislator or member of Congress, avoid form letters that have the same information as every other letter they receive. If you are from their district, they want to know how a bill will impact you personally on your farm and in your community.

•Stick to one subject. Dealing with a wide range of subjects in a conversation or a letter will blunt the impact of any one of them.

•Don’t burn bridges. Make it easy for your legislator to vote with you by giving good reasons. You may not get their vote today, but you may need their vote on another issue tomorrow.

•Follow-up with a “thank you.” When a legislator votes your way, be sure to follow-up with a telephone call or thank the legislator when you see them next time.

Many of you already know your legislators and feel comfortable talking with them about any subject. Others of you may not know your legislators as well.

It’s important to remember that legislators are faced with hundreds of issues daily and they cannot know everything about every subject. They need and value the information that you give them regarding animal agriculture.

Effectively impacting public policy requires a multi-tiered approach. The NCPC staff works closely with lawmakers daily. Our Board of Directors helps guide our legislative agenda. Your communication with your elected officials is the final and very effective tool by which we influence votes in Raleigh and Washington DC. NCPC looks forward to working with you as we continue to make sure the pork industry’s views are well represented at all levels.