Livestock Producers Describe Trade Headwinds to Congress

Livestock groups told the Senate Agriculture Committee they need certainty in trade.  During a hearing Wednesday, Livestock groups including the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and the National Pork Producers Council told lawmakers they need certainty in trade.  The groups urged lawmakers to approve USMCA quickly.

NCBA President Jennifer Houston said the U.S. needs to pass USMCA to "send a message to the rest of the world that the United States is open for business."  Agriculture groups focused on other trade needs, including finalizing negotiations with Japan and China.  Ag reps told lawmakers the U.S. is missing out "on an unprecedented sales opportunity."

Punitive tariffs have cost U.S. producers $8 per animal, or $1 billion last year, according to the organization. Affordable pork is in short supply in China because African swine fever has ravaged the Chinese hog herd and significantly reduced the production of pork.

NPPC said “we need to remove market access uncertainty and level the playing field in the world's largest pork-consuming nation.”

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