When sheep industry leaders travel to Washington, D.C. in early May, Executive Director of the American Sheep Industry (ASI), Peter Orwick says they’ll have several issues to talk about with legislators, including the 2012 Farm Bill.

“Secondly, we’re always watching for livestock protection, USDA’s APHIS Wildlife Services is a key program, but it tends to draw some critics from the animal rights community about what we have to do to protect our lambs,” Orwick said. “And third, we have trade issues, with the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), that one seems to be gaining steam at the moment as well.”

When it comes to the current Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), Orwick says there is no benefit to sheep producers.

“Our position is, if there’s going to be a discussion of lamb trade in the Trans Pacific Partnership then it better be about opening up export markets for American lamb,” said Orwick.

Members of the American Sheep Industry Association’s (ASI) Legislative Action Council, along with member-state sheep association leaders, will be in Washington, D.C., May 1-3.

Audio: Peter Orwick, Executive Director, American Sheep Industry (5:35 MP3)