NPPC is the global voice of the U.S. pork industry and continues to fight for expanding and protecting market access for U.S. pork producers.   In addition to promoting Congressional approval of multi-lateral and bi-lateral free trade agreements, NPPC spends a significant amount of time engaging with our trading partners to maintain and increase current market access.   

Mexico
In 2008, Mexico was the second highest value market and the second largest volume market for U.S. pork exports. Despite pressure from Mexican pork producers, including multiple resolutions in the Mexican Congress calling for restrictions on pork imports, and an anti-pork import media campaign being conducted by domestic producers, the Mexican market remains open. NPPC has worked closely with the Mexican Embassy in Washington and with officials of the Calderon Administration in Mexico City. NPPC’s efforts have paid huge dividends for U.S. pork producers. However, the situation in Mexico remains volatile, and NPPC will continue to closely monitor the situation.

Canada
In 2008, Canada was the third highest value market and fifth largest volume market for U.S. pork exports. Canada threatened to close its market to U.S. pork exports because of its use of carbadox, a Food and Drug Administration approved feed additive.  NPPC aggressively engaged the Canadians at the technical and political levels on this issue and is pleased that an interim technical agreement was reached to keep the Canadian market open to U.S. pork. NPPC worked to successfully achieve an indefinite delay in implementation of Canada’s proposed mandatory labeling standard, which would have resulted in the equivalent of a 5.4 percent tariff on all U.S. pork shipped to Canada. Many believe this proposed regulation is in retaliation to country of origin labeling legislation in the United States. NPPC is constantly monitoring Canadian hog subsidies.

Australia
U.S. pork exports to Australia continued to grow in 2008 making Australia the ninth highest value market and ninth largest volume market.  The U.S. pork industry did not gain access to Australia until the 2005 U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement was implemented. Now, Australia is one of the top markets for U.S. pork exports. The Australians initiated a safeguard proceeding on all imported pork which would have threatened to reduce U.S. pork imports. NPPC successfully engaged its strong legal and legislative team in Australia to fight the imposition of restrictions on U.S. pork exports.  Australia continues to limit U.S. exports to pork for further processing due to unscientific concerns of the transmission of certain animal diseases.

European Union
The EU market holds significant potential for high quality U.S. pork; however, sanitary barriers exist that artificially increase the cost of raising and exporting pork to the EU. The EU requires freezing or 100 percent carcass testing as risk mitigation for trichinae, although there is negligible risk for trichinae in the U.S. commercial herd. NPPC worked closely with USDA to finalize its rule-making on the Trichinae Certification Program, which would allow production sites in the United States to be certified as Trichinae-free, and is working with U.S. trade officials to gain EU approval for the Trichinae Certification Program.

As a result of NPPC engagement, the 2008 EU additional residue program will no longer test for sedatives and nitrofurans. The U.S. pork industry funded a White Paper on pathogen reduction treatments (PRTs) as part of the ongoing negotiation with the EU’s acceptance of PRTs as a food safety tool.

Russia
The volume of U.S. pork exports to Russia in 2008 increased by 118 percent from the previous year moving Russia to the fourth largest volume market and fourth highest value market for U.S. pork exports.  Russia is working toward becoming a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and gaining Permanent Normal Trade Relations with the United States. NPPC is working to eliminate a number of impediments to U.S. pork exports to Russia in the context of Russia’s accession to the WTO.

Taiwan
U.S. pork exports to Taiwan increased considerably in 2008 compared to 2007, with a 115 percent increase in value and 98 percent increase in volume. Due to an unscientifically-based ban on pork produced with ractopamine hydrochloride, the Taipei government took action to limit U.S. pork exports to only ractopamine-free pork. Ractopamine is a FDA approved feed additive and approved by 25 other national authorities, and pending a final approval of an international draft standard. NPPC worked closely with U.S. and Taiwan trade officials and with the U.S. Congress to resolve the problem. NPPC is adamant that Taiwan follow through on its WTO notification to implement a safe tolerance for ractopamine on imported pork.

China
In 2008 the U.S. exported over $334 million and 165,812 tons of pork product to China making it the sixth highest value market and sixth largest volume market.  Many U.S. pork plants have been delisted from eligibility to export to China due to their unscientific zero tolerance policy for ractopamine, pathogens and other substances. Ractopamine is a FDA approved feed additive and approved by 25 other national authorities, and pending a final approval of an international draft standard.  Despite the plant delistings, U.S. pork is still entering China through traders.

China is the only major market for U.S. pork and pork exports that maintains a ban due to concerns of H1N1.  NPPC is fighting the non-science based Chinese policy on all fronts. 

New Zealand
U.S. pork exports to New Zealand remained low in 2008, totaling only 6,536 tons valued at just over $17 million.  New Zealand restricts open access due to unscientific concerns of certain animal diseases.  New Zealand’s recent Import Health Standard for U.S. pork added ‘consumer ready products’ to cooked pork, canned pork and fresh/frozen pork intended for cooking at designated New Zealand establishments, as eligible to export.  New Zealand is currently conducting a review of the recent Import Health Standard.  NPPC is advocating full and open access to the New Zealand market for all U.S. pork and pork products.

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International Trade Testimony & Comments