Sioux City Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Randy Feenstra (R-IA) and Greg Murphy (R-NC) have addressed a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai regarding reports that South Africa is unlawfully restricting market access for American pork. Iowa and North Carolina are the top two states in pork production in the United States.

“Pork production is a vital economic engine for our producers and our rural communities. In Fiscal Year 2022, Iowa led the nation in pork exports, registering at over $2.7 billion. However, due to inflation, burdensome regulations, and other costs, Iowa pork producers are facing major financial losses and market uncertainty. South Africa’s unfair treatment of American pork exports doesn’t help the situation at hand,” said Rep. Feenstra. “That’s why I’m working with Rep. Greg Murphy to urge the Biden administration to support Iowa hog farmers and ensure that our pork products receive fair treatment in foreign markets in accordance with our trade laws.”

Rep. Murphy added, “Eastern North Carolina is home to many of America’s greatest pork producers who work tirelessly to feed America. Foreign markets are important to our pork industry especially as they face increased operating costs and regulations. The United States and South Africa have long enjoyed a friendly trade relationship. Unfortunately, the country is not allowing adequate market access for American pork. I encourage Ambassador Tai to engage with her South African counterparts to address this issue.”

Bryan Humphreys, CEO of the National Pork Producers Council, commented on the significance of international trade for the industry: “The U.S. pork industry exports over 25% of our annual production, accounting for $64 of value of every hog marketed,” he said. “We can increase the $8 billion of exports seen in 2023 if we remove barriers and expand access."

In their letter, Reps. Feenstra and Murphy stated: “We write to express our concern with restrictions by the Government of South Africa that deny U.S. pork products equitable and reasonable market access." They urged Ambassador Tai to raise these issues during bilateral conversations with South African officials and consider them during the ongoing African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) annual review process.

The full letter from Reps. Feenstra and Murphy can be found [HERE].