NPPC Comments on China’s Restrictions on U.S. Pork Exports

What happened: NPPC submitted to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative comments on China’s trade-limiting measures, which are contrary to international rules and standards. USTR requested the information for a required report to Congress on China’s compliance with its World Trade Organization commitments.

NPPC pointed out that, despite better market access to the Asian nation included as part of the 2020 U.S.-China Phase One trade agreement, U.S. pork exports remain restricted because of China’s tariffs, domestic subsidies, and various sanitary and phytosanitary restrictions, which violate WTO rules. Additionally, China recently refused to renew export registrations for about 400 U.S. beef facilities and nine pork plants, meaning they can’t export meat to China.

Among other restrictions, NPPC noted China’s requirement that all U.S. pork exports test negative for residues of ractopamine hydrochloride, a feed additive used for growth promotion and feed efficiency in U.S. hog production. Ractopamine has a maximum residue limit set by the U.N.’s Codex Alimentarius Commission that is widely accepted globally.

The country also has subjected pork shipments from some U.S. facilities to increased inspections because of alleged detections of animal diseases, such as porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome (PRRS). The United States utilizes vaccines to control the spread of PRRS, which is endemic in China, and certain common testing techniques are known to show false positives when the animals being tested have received vaccinations.

Why it matters: China was the No. 3 value market for U.S. pork in 2024, with the pork industry shipping more than $1.1 billion of product, or about 13% of its total exports, to the Asian country. China accounted for 59% of U.S. pork variety meat exports, including feet, heads, stomachs, and hearts. They add value to every pig produced in the United States. There is no alternative market to take the volume and value of U.S. pork variety meat in demand by China.

Producers Should Prepare for Government Shutdown

What happened: At the time of publication, the federal government was facing the prospect of closing because Congress (so far) failed to approve funding for fiscal year 2025, which begins Oct. 1.

In preparation, NPPC urges the U.S. Department of Agriculture to continue publishing livestock price reports should the government shut down. The Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR) Act, which expires Sept. 30 if Congress doesn’t reauthorize the statute, requires meatpackers to report to USDA the prices they pay for cattle, hogs, and lambs. USDA then publishes reports with information on pricing, contracting for purchase, supply and demand conditions for livestock, livestock production, and livestock products.

Why it matters: Without funding, many federal programs will cease, and the staff who administer them will be furloughed. Among the programs that could be idled is the LMR Market News.

LMR helps ensure livestock producers have reliable and accurate information when making critical business decisions and supports competition and transparency in the livestock industry. Failure to continue publishing reports would jeopardize swine, cattle, and lamb producers’ ability to market their animals effectively.

Additionally, USDA’s Risk Management Agency utilizes LMR data to determine ending values and indemnities owed to producers under Livestock Risk Protection insurance policies. Disruptions in LMR reporting could significantly impact the accurate settlement of these policies while the government is shut down.

NPPC’s take: NPPC supports designating USDA’s LMR staff as essential personnel during a government shutdown, an action previously taken during the 2018-2019 shutdown.

NPPC will continue to closely monitor the fluid discussions related to future FY 2026 funding for additional ramifications impacting pork producers.

NPPC’s Marotz, Staff Participate in Annual Leman Conference

What happened: NPPC board member Todd Marotz, chief production officer for Wakefield Pork in Sleepy Eye, Minn., and NPPC staff participated in the 2025 Allen D. Leman Swine Conference. Hosted by the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and held in St. Paul, the conference highlights science-driven solutions to the complex challenges facing the swine industry.

Marotz moderated a discussion on important pork industry policies, including the Make America Health Again recommendations related to agriculture and livestock production and state legislation affecting pork production. Those topics were addressed by NPPC’s Dr. Ashley Johnson, director of food policy, and Dillon Davidson, director of state policy.

NPPC consultant Chase Adams also joined the panel to discuss prospects for a new farm bill.

Why it matters: The Leman Conference is an annual educational event for the global swine industry. Each year hundreds of participants from more than 20 countries, including swine veterinarians and other professionals working in swine production and animal health management, attend the four-day conference. NPPC is one of the sponsors of the conference.

Applications Being Accepted for NPPC Internships

What happened: NPPC is accepting applications for its spring 2026 – January through May – governmental affairs and communications internships, which offer an opportunity for young professionals to gain hands-on experience in public policy, trade, international relations, economics, and advocacy.

The selected candidates will work with NPPC’s policy experts and communications staff, government officials, and industry stakeholders to help shape and advocate for national and international policies essential to the viability of the U.S. pork industry.

Criteria: Applicants should be college-aged students pursuing a major in political science, agriculture or agriculture communications, international trade, economics, or another relevant field. They should have the ability to work independently and collaboratively; possess excellent writing, research, and communications skills; and demonstrate an eagerness to learn about the U.S. pork industry including the domestic and international policies that affect pork producers. A cover letter and resume should be submitted by Oct. 17 here for the governmental affairs internship or here for the communications internship.