John R. Block, Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Opposed to Anti-dumping Petition
Source: George Morris Centre (source: porktradeaction.org)
John R. Block, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and Senior Advisor to the Pork Trade
Action Coalition (PTAC), sent letters to pork producer associations in Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa
and other states reiterating his opposition to an anti-dumping petition against live Canadian swine and urging the state associations to consider the needs of American family farmers who have built their operations on buying Canadian pigs.
The Department of Commerce (DOC) rejected the NPPC's allegations of illegal subsidies in August 2004. In his letter to the state associations, Block stated, "While it is rare for me to take a position which on the surface may seem contrary to that of some U.S. pork producers, please permit me this opportunity to explain my support of PTAC and its objectives." Block continued, "PTAC represents American farmers - some of whom are members of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and state pork producer groups - and their suppliers in Canada. The family-owned farmers whose interests PTAC represents built their operations on buying Canadian pigs and feeding them in the United States on American grain. These farmers depend on the open border between Canada and the United States in agricultural goods." "Placing a new tax on feeder pigs imported from Canada hurts many pork U.S. and Canadian producers. It is incorrect to suggest that this is simply a matter in which pork producers in the U.S. are on one side and those in Canada are on the other."
Block pointed out that this dumping case is not about "wrongful" Canadian farm subsidies since the DOC has already ruled that payments to Canadian hog and other farmers did not break U.S. laws or world trade rules. "'Foreign government subsidies' is a term that makes for strong rhetoric, but it has no application in this trade case. When we take shots at trade-legal farm program payments in other countries we have to recognize that we invite other countries to do the same to us. With so much pressure in place to hack U.S. program crop payments, I sure don't want to issue such an invitation."
Block also sought to remind the state associations about the tremendous benefits to the pork industry from trade with Canada. "Trade in swine with Canada has helped pork producers in both countries, capitalizing on competitive advantages in the U.S. in feeding and slaughter, as well as advantages in Canadian farrowing," said Block.
"As a result, the overall industry is more efficient. Swine imports from Canada are just 3.3% of the total U.S. market. More importantly, U.S. hog prices are near record levels, and the U.S. herd is growing."
"Swine industry trade with Canada has not caused injury to the U.S. industry; it has made for a more efficient swine industry that has contributed to current market strength," continued Block. "If
prohibitive tariffs force construction of new, highly efficient Canadian slaughter facilities, a significant advantage may be created for expanded hog feeding and slaughter north of our border."
Source: George Morris Centre (source: porktradeaction.org)
John R. Block, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and Senior Advisor to the Pork Trade
Action Coalition (PTAC), sent letters to pork producer associations in Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa
and other states reiterating his opposition to an anti-dumping petition against live Canadian swine and urging the state associations to consider the needs of American family farmers who have built their operations on buying Canadian pigs.
The Department of Commerce (DOC) rejected the NPPC's allegations of illegal subsidies in August 2004. In his letter to the state associations, Block stated, "While it is rare for me to take a position which on the surface may seem contrary to that of some U.S. pork producers, please permit me this opportunity to explain my support of PTAC and its objectives." Block continued, "PTAC represents American farmers - some of whom are members of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and state pork producer groups - and their suppliers in Canada. The family-owned farmers whose interests PTAC represents built their operations on buying Canadian pigs and feeding them in the United States on American grain. These farmers depend on the open border between Canada and the United States in agricultural goods." "Placing a new tax on feeder pigs imported from Canada hurts many pork U.S. and Canadian producers. It is incorrect to suggest that this is simply a matter in which pork producers in the U.S. are on one side and those in Canada are on the other."
Block pointed out that this dumping case is not about "wrongful" Canadian farm subsidies since the DOC has already ruled that payments to Canadian hog and other farmers did not break U.S. laws or world trade rules. "'Foreign government subsidies' is a term that makes for strong rhetoric, but it has no application in this trade case. When we take shots at trade-legal farm program payments in other countries we have to recognize that we invite other countries to do the same to us. With so much pressure in place to hack U.S. program crop payments, I sure don't want to issue such an invitation."
Block also sought to remind the state associations about the tremendous benefits to the pork industry from trade with Canada. "Trade in swine with Canada has helped pork producers in both countries, capitalizing on competitive advantages in the U.S. in feeding and slaughter, as well as advantages in Canadian farrowing," said Block.
"As a result, the overall industry is more efficient. Swine imports from Canada are just 3.3% of the total U.S. market. More importantly, U.S. hog prices are near record levels, and the U.S. herd is growing."
"Swine industry trade with Canada has not caused injury to the U.S. industry; it has made for a more efficient swine industry that has contributed to current market strength," continued Block. "If
prohibitive tariffs force construction of new, highly efficient Canadian slaughter facilities, a significant advantage may be created for expanded hog feeding and slaughter north of our border."
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