International trade

Dynamic Pork Trade Policy

Where Is Pork Trade Going? How are pork free trade agreements working and what are the opportunities for pork producers? Laurie Hueneke, Director, International Trade Policy, Sanitary and Technical Affairs, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), provides information about the pork exports and how global policies affect trade. Laurie details specific free trade agreements in place and some of the issues and successes in various parts of the world.

It's What China Doesn't Do

Slowing of China's Economy Impacts to Pork China's export based economy is trying to make the transition to a Chinese consumer based economy. Impacting China is the drought and their need to import corn and soybean to feed their 400 million pigs. This NPR episode shares some insight on the Chinese economy and what pork and crop producers in the US should consider [audio].

China's economic boom has altered the global economy but its growth is slowing down. Steve Inskeep talks to Beijing-based economist Patrick Chovanec about China's economic troubles, and how that affects the U.S. economy.

Some China Pork Background Info

What Is China's Influence on Pork? Here is a link to info on China’s influence on the pork industry and the affects on world meat and grains trade. The information comes via Informa Economics.

SwineCast 0715, U.S. - Canadian Swine Industry Has Much In Common

SwineCast 0715 Show Notes:

While the U.S. and Canada joust on issues like mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) and cross-border trade, the need for protein around the world should forge closer ties in the future. National Pork Producers Council President R. C. Hunt talks with Farmscape.ca's Bruce Cochrane.

Is There a Consumer / Producer Communications Gap?

Audio link via SwineCast

Dr. Marty Strauss understands the issues consumers have in understanding food/food information. He also understand agricultures desires to help. Dr. Strauss offered how to better bridge the producer/consumer communications gap.

SwineCast 0672, How Will Korean Free Trade Agreement Impact U.S. Pork Markets?

Download mp3 SwineCast 0672 Show Notes:

Three big wins under the National Pork Producers Council belt with recent movement on major Free Trade Agreements... But wait, there's more! Vice President and Council for International Affairs, Nick Giordano says the addition of Japan to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations should mean more good new for U.S. producers.
Overview of the Trans-Pacific Partnership

Marcine Moldenhauer - Importance of Traceability in Protecting USA Export Trade

Importance of Traceability in Protecting USA Export Trade - Marcine Moldenhauer, Meat Link, LLC, from the 2011 Annual Conference of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture, April 11 - 14, San Antonio, TX USA.

China Re-opens to Live Swine Imports

via hpj.com

Live swine exports to China for genetics are going to resume, having been suspended since April 2009. Pending H1N1 testing, live swine will start being imported into China to help them build up their country's breeding programs.

"Unfortunately, for an industry such as purebred swine breeding stock, the big-picture political crossfire that exists between countries in general overshadowed the relevance and need for releasing the export ban," says [National Swine Registry CEO Darrell Anderson], noting the agreement for H1N1 testing was also a result of political necessity.

UK Stats on Animal Ag Updated

via defra.gov.uk

UK national statistics from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs were recently updated, showing numbers on the slaughter of cattle, sheep and pigs. Key data for each industry slaughterings increased: Cattle 5%, Sheep 9%, and Pigs 9%. Production also increased for each industry increased: Cattle 5%, Sheep 11%, and Pigs 10%.

China's Trade Red Tape Impacts US Ag Exports

via worldpoultry.net

Yes, China is a large market for US agricultural products. And this puts China in the driver's seat when US companies want to participate.

US farmers lose billions of dollars in sales each year because of China’s import restrictions on wheat, poultry, pork, cotton and other food and agricultural products, according to a recently released study from the US International Trade Commission. “China is our number one market for US agricultural product exports, but China’s unjustified trade barriers are blocking some of our goods such as wheat and beef,” Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus said in response to the new International Trade Commission study.

This study, published March 2011, describes government policies and other factors affecting "the conditions of competition in China’s agricultural market and trade".