US pig meat producers urge free trade agreement approval

The National Pork Producers Council is urging the U.S. Congress to implement legislation approving free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea.
Deals with Colombia, Panama and South Korea would add more than $11 to the price U.S. pig meat producers receive for each hog and would generate more than 10,000 jobs, according to Iowa State University economist Dermot Hayes. Failing to implement the agreements, said Hayes, could lead to the U.S. pig meat industry losing its foothold in all three markets within 10 years.
“For us to remain a successful and viable industry, we need new and expanded market access," said Doug Wolf, NPPC president. “The way to get that is through free trade agreements.”