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"Our future depends on expanding access for U.S. pork in foreign markets," said Caspers, a producer from Swaledale, Iowa.

"That's why we have taken the lead among U.S. agriculture groups in coordinating efforts to get this agreement passed by Congress."

"We applaud those members of the House that voted for the Chile agreement," Caspers said. "This agreement will result in significant new opportunities for the U.S. pork industry.

Tariffs on all pork and pork products will drop to zero immediately upon implementation of the FTA with Chile."

According to Caspers, U.S. pork producers are painfully aware of the present need to continue increasing access to foreign markets such as Chile.

"The average U.S. pork producer lost money for 18-straight months prior to May," he said.

"Although these losses were attributable largely to the dynamics of the hog cycle, there is no question that live hog prices can be positively impacted by the introduction of new markets in which U.S. pork producers can compete."

Source: National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) - 24th July 2003