WASHINGTON– Lori Stevermer, the National Pork Producer Council’s (NPPC) president-elect, recently testified in front of the House Committee on Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture and Horticulture as part of a hearing on “Stakeholder Perspectives on Agriculture Trade.”

During her testimony, Stevermer summarized the top trade policy priorities for the US pork industry, starting with negotiating comprehensive trade agreements that eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers. She also said the industry needed to expand market access in the Asia-Pacific region, including China removing its 25% retaliatory tariff on pork.

NPPC and Stevermer also said the group wants to leverage and renew US preferential trade programs and address the country’s labor shortage. 

Lastly, the association wants to support efforts to keep the United States free from African Swine Fever by funding federal agencies that deal with foreign animal diseases. 

“Trade is vital to America’s pork producers, and exports continue to be a bright spot for our industry even during tough times,” Stevermer said. “Our success largely comes from our ability to produce the world’s safest, most nutritious, and affordable pork products, as well as from fair and unfettered access to foreign markets negotiated through comprehensive trade agreements.”

US pork exports increased more than 1,850% in value and 1,560% in volume since 1989, when the US implemented the first substantial free trade agreement. NPPC noted that by 1995 the United States moved from a net importer to a net exporter of pork. 

“It is very clear that comprehensive trade deals are why we have been, on average, the top pork exporter in the world over the past decade,” Stevermer said. “For the United States and America’s pig farmers to stay on top, we need more trade deals that eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers to US products to allow for the free flow of goods and expand export markets.”

According to NPPC numbers for 2022, pork farmers exported nearly $7.7 billion worth of pork to more than 100 countries. These exports supported 155,000 mostly rural US jobs and added $14.5 billion to the country’s GDP. The exports also equated to approximately $61, in value for each hog marketed in 2022.