US pork dependent on new trade agreements
National Pork Producers Council | 11/1/2007
U.S. Pork Dependent On New Trade Agreements
The future of the U.S. pork industry depends on concluding new trade agreements, the National Pork Producers Council today told congressional lawmakers.
“I strongly believe that the future of the U.S. pork industry, and the future livelihood of my family’s operation, depend in large part on further trade agreements, including the pending agreements with Peru, Colombia, Panama and South Korea,” said Doug Wolf, an NPPC board member and pork producer from Lancaster, Wis., in testimony before the House Small Business Committee. “The added income from the pending free trade agreements will allow our small pork operation to grow and develop and will ensure a future in hog production for my son and his family.”
Wolf pointed out that in Wisconsin, alone, about 14,200 jobs are involved in various aspects of the pork industry and that state garners 2,130 jobs and $90 million of personal income from exporting pork products to foreign markets.
“Increased pork exports over the last five years have contributed significantly to the profitability of our operation,” Wolf said. “Wolf L&G Farms is very proud to supply the world with our home-grown Wisconsin pork and pork products.”
Pork exports add $33.60 to the price producers receive for each pig, according to economists with Iowa State University. Free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, Peru and South Korea would add another $12.66 per pig to producers’ bottom line.
New and expanded market access through trade agreements has been the most important catalyst for increasing U.S. pork exports. Since the U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement was implemented in 1989, exports of U.S. pork products have grown to more than $2.6 billion from $394 million.
To read the entire testimony, visit www.nppc.org.
