Sen. Conrad Applauds Decision Allowing U.S. Pork To Reenter Chinese Market

Move Will Deliver Needed Boost to North Dakota Producers, Senator says

October 29, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Senator Kent Conrad was joined by North Dakota’s pork producers in cheering a decision today that will allow U.S. pork products to re-enter the Chinese market.

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“Pork producers in North Dakota and all across the country have been hurt by the baseless ban of their products in China,” Senators Conrad said. “The decision to reopen this market to trade will benefit pork producers in North Dakota and across the nation.”

Senator Conrad, along with 23 of his colleagues, sent a letter earlier this month calling on the Chinese government to end the ban on American pork and pork products.

According to a North Dakota Agriculture Department report, there are nearly 350 family farms in North Dakota that raise more than 150,000 hogs and pigs.

Hogs and pigs are a $39 million dollar industry in North Dakota.

The decision came about as trade representatives from both nations concluded the most recent discussions of the US-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade.

The ban of U.S. products was first put into effect in May of this year, when the Chinese government instituted influenza /H1N1 restrictions in response to the “swine flu” scare. Since that time, the World Organization for Animal Health, the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization have concluded that there is no risk to humans consuming properly prepared pork and pork products.

Source: Senator Kent Conrad