U.S. swine producers this year faced many challenges, the most notable being retaliatory tariffs.
?When it comes to trade, we?re tired of playing defense,? said a North Carolina hog farmer.
?We hope 2020 is a year of progress built on strong offensive performance,? said David Herring, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) president. He says a phase one trade deal with China is a good first step in reaching this goal.
?It?s no secret that China needs reliable, affordable sources of pork. No sources better position to meet this need than American hof farmers,? Herring said. ?According to Iowa State University economist Dermot Hayes, if the United States gained unrestricted access to the Chinese market, (it) would reduce the overall trade deficit with China by nearly six-percent, generate 184,000 new jobs and produce $24.5 billion in new sales, all in the next decade.?
Pork producers also see the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia as areas for expansion, due to African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreaks. Additionally, swine producers hope to enhance foreign animal disease preparedness domestically.
?NPPC?s top priority for 2020 is continued vigilance to ensure ASF and other foreign animal diseases do not enter our country,? Herring said. ?I?d like to thank the USDA and Customs & Border Protection for their strong collaboration in responding to this increased risk. We are in a better position today than we were a year ago. More can be done, and NPPC is pushing for 600 new agriculture inspectors at our borders to bring the total number to 3,000.?
The National Pork Producers Council also looks to find solutions for agriculture?s labor shortage, advance legal challenges against Proposition 12 in California and reauthorize the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act.
