Governor Pleased with China’s Move to Lift Pork Ban

(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman today offered this statement in response to news from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that China intends to reopen its market to U.S. pork and live swine.

“This is great news for Nebraska’s pork producers,” said Gov. Heineman. “China is a crucial market for U.S. pork exports, and the country’s ban in response to H1N1 has hurt our swine industry. I have been told consistently by Nebraska pork producers that resumption of trade with China is an important component to a return to profitability. While there are multiple factors currently influencing pork production, reopening trade with China will go a long way toward improving the demand side of the equation.”

Gov. Heineman, along with eight other governors, sent a letter to President Barack Obama, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack in August requesting immediate action on behalf of U.S. pork producers. Among three key points, the governors encouraged the leaders to work with China to lift the pork ban.

In 2008 China was the U.S. pork industry’s fastest growing market, according to USDA, with sales of $560 million. Nebraska exported $12 million of pork products to China in 2007. Nebraska’s 2008 pork exports to China were $6 million.