For the Week Ending June 2, 2017
U.S.-VIETNAM MEETING YIELDS PROGRESS ON KEY U.S. PORK TRADE ISSUES
Following a meeting between President Trump and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, the two countries on Wednesday announced plans to enhance political, diplomatic, economic and trade relations. Among the topics addressed directly with Vietnam’s prime minister were two key trade access issues for U.S. pork: the use of veterinary drugs and offal exports. Regarding veterinary drugs, Vietnam will not be issuing a circular, previously announced, implementing a zero-tolerance policy on residues for multiple veterinary drug, many of which are used in U.S. pork production. It agreed to follow U.S. food safety standards and maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by the U.N.’s Codex Alimentarius Commission. Vietnam will continue to allow U.S. imports of beef and pork that meet Codex MRLs. The policy aligns with U.S. food safety concerns. In addition, Vietnam said it is committed to working with the United States to address issues currently preventing the importation of white offal. Earlier in the week, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer touted “significant trade progress” underway between the United States and Vietnam at a U.S. Chamber of Commerce dinner attended by the prime minister. Lighthizer added: “Over the last decade, our bilateral trade deficit has risen from about $7 billion to nearly $32 billion. This concerning growth in our trade deficit presents new challenges and shows us that there is considerable potential to improve further our important trade relationship.”
U.S. EXITS PARIS CLIMATE PACT
President Trump announced on Thursday that the United States will exit the Paris Agreement, the non-binding climate change pact, dealing with greenhouse gas emissions mitigation, adaptation and finance. In his remarks on the decision, the president said he’d be willing to explore a new international climate agreement if it offered better terms for the United States. He also said the United States will stop implementing the Obama administration’s domestic climate change efforts and stop funding the Green Climate Fund, an international program that supports developing countries on climate change issues.
USDA GUIDANCE ISSUED ON SWINE VESICULAR DISEASE
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service this week released updated guidance for handling swine with potential vesicular lesions. The document has been reviewed, signed and is effective immediately and until March 31, 2020. USDA’s Veterinary Services updated the document to clarify guidance on investigations. Click here to read the updated guidance.
GLOBAL PORK INDUSTRY GATHERS NEXT WEEK IN DES MOINES
More than 20,000 producers and pork professionals, including more than 1,000 international guests, are expected to attend next week’s World Pork Expo. Presented by NPPC, World Pork Expo is the largest gathering of international pork industry professionals in the world and will be held June 7-9 at the Iowa State fairgrounds in Des Moines. For more information, please click here.