Hog producers and importers voted overwhelmingly to...

Hog producers and importers voted overwhelmingly to continue mandatory assessments to promote pork and help boost the image of the swine industry, with 33,534 of the 43,532 ballots cast in favor of collecting 0.25% of the market value of all hogs and pigs sold or imported for sale in the United States, the Department of Agriculture said. California hog farmers voted 150 to 12 for the plan, which needed only a simple majority. USDA issued an order setting up the program two years ago, but the 1985 law authorizing it required a referendum within 30 months.