ASSOCIATION NEWS.

As a result of a settlement agreement reached by USDA with the National Pork Producers Council, the mandatory pork checkoff will continue. The deal reverses a Clinton administration decision to end the checkoff following a producer vote.

In addition, the settlement agreement will require a distinct separation between NPPC and the National Pork Board, particularly checkoff-funded programming and noncheckoff-funded policy initiatives. As a result, NPPC's role as general contractor to implement checkoff-funded programs will be terminated.

Thereafter, NPPC will focus on policy-related legislative and regulatory issues. These activities will be funded with only noncheckoff or unrestricted funds. In addition, the National Pork Board will be charged with the implementation of checkoff-funded promotion, consumer education and research initiatives.

The Biotechnology Industry Organization, Washington, D.C., is running a six-month television advertising campaign on both national and cable networks. The ads will run from March 1 through June 30 and Sept. 1 through Oct. 31.

The 30-second spot, titled "Biotechnology: A Big Word That Means Hope," is based on themes of U.S. entrepreneurship, pioneering technology and the biotech industry's research and development of new medicines to treat illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

It is being broadcast in metropolitan Washington and Crawford, Texas, home of President George W. Bush. Shows featuring the BIO ad will include "Meet the Press," "Face the Nation," "This Week," ABC and NBC evening news and Fox, CNN and MSNBC political talk shows. The BIO advertisement can be viewed on BIO's Web site at www.bio.org.