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"Although U.S. pork producers do not have a compelling interest in tariff reductions in this agreement given that tariffs in Australia are already zero on many pork products, NPPC consistently supports free trade agreements such as this one," said Caspers, a pork producer from Swaledale, Iowa. "U.S. pork exports have increased about 150 percent since the implementation of the Uruguay Round Agreement.

Although the World Trade Organization (WTO) Doha Development Round Negotiations hold the most potential for increased U.S. pork exports, NPPC continues to support bilateral and regional agreements because increased market access will help the bottom line of all U.S. pork producers."

However, Caspers cautioned that U.S. pork producers would not be able to support Congressional passage of the free trade agreement with Australia until that country finalizes its risk assessment on pork and accepts U.S. pork exports. "Australia is a huge potential market for U.S. pork producers, but I must underscore that as of now it is only a potential market.

We are pleased that Australia issued a preliminary Import Risk Analysis (IRA) on pork in August 2003 but a final analysis must be completed. The support of U.S. pork producers for the Australian free trade agreement is contingent upon Australia completing its technical work and opening its market to U.S. pork."

Source: National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) - 10th February 2004