WASHINGTON — Trade remained one of the top priorities for the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) while testifying on Capitol Hill on March 4.

NPPC President Lori Stevermer, a pork producer from Easton, Minn., noted in her remarks to the US House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry, the importance of trade to the pork sector and rural communities.

“Policies that foster the free flow of goods and expand export markets — primarily through trade agreements — are critical to the continued success of America’s pork producers, US agriculture and the overall American economy,” Stevermer said in written testimony. “The bottom line: The United States needs more comprehensive trade agreements that eliminate or significantly reduce tariffs and nontariff barriers to US exports.”

After testifying before the committee, NPPC officers met with government officials, including Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.

“NPPC actively engages policymakers to ensure they fully understand the importance of exports and international trading relationships — and the impacts of government decisions on US farm families, employees, customers, business partners and communities,” the association said.

More than 140,000 American jobs support pork exports and products sold in more than 100 different countries, resulting in a $15.7 billion contribution to the US economy, according to economists with Iowa State University and NPPC.

The trade association pointed out that Mexico and Canada, along with Asian and Western Hemisphere nations, are key trading partners for US pork products with longstanding relations from trade agreements.

“The US pork industry has deep and longstanding relationships to supply safe, affordable protein to customers across the globe,” said Bryan Humphrey, chief executive officer of NPPC. “Pork producers and our trading partners rely on certainty and stability for the benefit of all — and we oppose any retaliatory actions that harm our business relationships. NPPC, working across the farming and agricultural supply chain, is actively engaged to ensure government actions minimize damage.”

Numbers from the trade group said pork exports equate to more than $66 in average value from each hog marketed in the United States.

“This segment of international trade helps provide critical stability for US pork producers amid unpredictability and financial uncertainty,” the association said. “Recent multiple years have been ones of financial strain and losses for American pork producers.”