The Humane Society of the United States says they have not engaged in new talks with USDA regarding a lawsuit against the sale of intellection property within the pork industry. Politico reports special counsel for the Humane Society, Matt Penzer, says his group has not engaged in further settlement talks with USDA since December. At that time, USDA agreed to review the contract requiring the National Pork Board to pay the National Pork Producers Council $3 million per year to use its “Pork: The Other White Meat” slogan. USDA has until early May to complete the review per a joint document signed with HSUS. At the Pork Industry Forum over the weekend, the Pork Board and Pork Producers Council both voted to urge USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to fight, not settle, the lawsuit brought against the USDA in 2012 by HSUS. At a House Agriculture hearing last month, Vilsack told lawmakers the settlement talks were being held and initiated in “concert with industry.” However, neither the Pork Board nor Pork Producers Council approve of the settlement negotiations.