National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President and Chugwater, Wyo., cattleman Philip Ellis also chimed in with support when yesterday the White House released the full text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. “We were pleased to have the opportunity to review the TPP agreement in full today and it confirms the positive results our negotiators were able to achieve over the past … Read More
Dairy Holds Up TPP Talks
After a week of meetings on the Trans Pacific Partnership, trade ministers from a dozen nations left Hawaii last weekend with issues still unresolved but USTR Michael Froman says they remain optimistic. “We have made significant progress and will continue work on resolving a limited number of remaining issues,” said Froman, reading a joint statement from the ministers at the … Read More
Trade Top Priority for NPPC
Ken Maschhoff, The Maschoffs, Inc. and VP of the National Pork Producers Council, was on hand during the World Pork Expo to talk all things vital to the pork industry. I picked his brain on trade and other policy issues impacting swine production. “The pork industry is exporting 27% of our pork today. Exports are tremendously important. They represent $6.6 … Read More
USMEF Hosts Veterinary Officials from Uzbekistan
In this week’s U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) audio report, we learn about a team of veterinary officials from Uzbekistan and their recent trip to the United States for an educational visit covering all aspects of the U.S. beef and pork supply chain. Yuri Barutkin (pronounced ba-root-kin), a USMEF representative for the Greater Russia region, talks about the points emphasized … Read More
Vietnam Lifts Restrictions on U.S. Beef
In this week’s USMEF audio report, technical services manager, Dr. Travis Arp discusses Vietnam’s recent removal of BSE-relatred restrictions on imports of U.S. beef. They now are accepting a full range of cuts from U.S. cattle of all ages. Dr. Arp explains, that Vietnam reopened to boneless U.S. beef cuts in 2005 and added bone-in cuts in 2006. But in … Read More
Congress Seeks Positive Market-Access for U.S. Dairy
The dairy industry praised the more than 75 House members who have urged the Obama Administration to negotiate a strong market-access outcome for the U.S. dairy industry in the Pacific Rim trade agreement. Led by the co-chairs of the Congressional Dairy Farmer Caucus, the House members sent a bipartisan letter to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and Agriculture Secretary Tom … Read More
Haggard's Outlook for U.S. Pork in Key Asian Markets
This week Joel Haggard, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) senior vice president for the Asia Pacific, provides us with some insight into our Asian markets. As the first quarter of 2015 draws to a close, Joel Haggard offers his insights on the factors shaping demand for U.S. pork in key Asian markets. Haggard notes that the U.S. dollar remains at … Read More
Pork Producers: Port Dispute Threatens Ag Exports
A work slowdown by some West Coast dock workers is threatening the U.S. pork export market. The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) joined 92 other food, agricultural and allied industry groups in urging the parties involved to resolve the issues, and NPPC even called on the federal government to consider all remedies to bring the dispute to a swift end. … Read More
Livestock and Poultry Groups Urge TPA Approval
As trade negotiators meet again this week, livestock and poultry producers both are urging Congress to approve Trade Promotion Authority for the president to move forward with major trade agreements. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association president Bob McCan of Texas says TPA is important for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. “The governments of many of our competitors are actively engaged in … Read More
CWT Assists with 1.3 Million lbs of Cheese Export Sales
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 7 requests for export assistance to sell 1.268 million pounds (575 metric tons) of Cheddar, Gouda and Monterey Jack cheese to customers in Asia. The product will be delivered February through May 2015. Year-to-date, CWT has assisted member cooperatives in selling 101.498 million pounds of cheese, 53.591 million pounds of butter and 56.729 million … Read More