DES MOINES – The National Pork Producers Council announced it would oppose Canada’s inclusion in Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade negotiations until the country eliminates its pork industry subsidies.

The NPPC explained its opposition in a letter to Congress. R.C. Hunt, NPPC president, said US pork exports have been harmed by Canada’s subsidies for Canadian pork producers. Hunt added that the subsidies were in violation of World Trade Organization rules and US countervailing duty law. NPPC is insisting that repeal of Canada’s provincial and federal hog and pork subsidy programs must be part of any assessment of Canada’s eligibility to join TPP negotiations.

Citing a research conducted by Dermot Hayes, an Iowa State Univ. economist, NPPC said Canada’s Ontario Risk Management Program (RMP) could decrease US pork production value by $162 million over 10 years and force elimination of 1,300 US jobs. RMP is one example of Canadian subsidies that negatively impact US pork producers, NPPC said.