The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a proposal to allow the importation of uncooked pork and pork products from designated regions in Mexico where classical swine fever (CSF) is considered to exist if the shipments originate in an area free of the disease.

Labour costs in pork processing plants are nine times lower in Mexico than the US.

Since the phase in of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) from 1994, companies have been using plants in Mexico for slaughtering and processing their pork supplies. The processed pork is then re-imported back into the US for use by the companies or for distribution.

However re-occuring outbreaks of classical swine fever (CSF) in Mexico has led the USDA to impose restrictions on all pork imports into the US. An improvement in animal health in Mexico prompted the USDA in 2006 to declare many regions of Mexico low or free of risk.

Source: Truth about Trade & Technology