991017 US Pork Producers Hail Canada Step to Open MarketsOctober 9, 1999Chicago - The head of the U.S. pork industry trade group hailed Canada's decision to open its markets to U.S. hogs as a “long overdue, but a significant step in the right direction.” But John McNutt, president of the U.S. National Pork Producers Council, also said given current exchange rates and other factors, he did not expect a significant number of hogs to move to Canada for slaughter at present. “The choice of sending hogs north will be very significant for certain producers, particularly in border states, and will translate into increased hog values for those producers,” McNutt said in a statement. In 1998, Canada agreed to change animal health requirements to allow U.S. hogs free of the hog disease pseudorabies to move into Canada. Pseudorabies does not affect humans, but under certain conditions can be transmitted between hogs, the pork producers group statement said. The United States hopes to eradicate the disease from its herds by the end of 2000. Under the agreement announced Thursday, Canada will streamline procedures for handling and distributing hogs. U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman, in announcing the agreement in Washington, said the pact should clear the way for shipments of up to 50,000 hogs next year and larger exports in future years.
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