Farm-Scape is sponsored by Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork Play Audio Farm-Scape is a Wonderworks Canada production and is distributed courtesy of Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork.

Farm-Scape, Episode 1479

Agriculture and Agrifood Canada says a 20 day delay on a US decision on whether to investigate a complaint against imports of live Canadian hogs is giving Canada additional time to prepare its defense.

Last week the US Commerce Department announced it has delayed, until April 14th, its decision on whether to investigate allegations that Canadian hog exports to the United States violate international trade rules.

American hog producers allege subsidized Canadian hogs are being dumped into the United States at prices below the actual cost of production causing injury to US producers.

Senior Director General with Agriculture and Agrifood Canada's Market Industry Services Branch Gilles Lavoie says the US Commerce Department has requested additional information from the petitioner and will use the delay to review that information.

"It may be an indication that the Department of Commerce has some questions on whether or not the petitioner has a valid case but it may also be because it just wants additional information.

It's difficult to read exactly why they have decided such but it's surely an indication that the case is complex one and it gives us additional time to get even better prepared. Obviously we will defend our programs.

We believe that our programs have been built in accordance with all of our international obligations and they are sound programs from an international perspective.

It will give us 20 more days to prepare ourselves to defend them".

He says, while it's unfortunate that this type of situation happens, it's part of doing business and the situation is being addressed.

For Farmscape.Ca, I'm Bruce Cochrane.