The USDA has reached an agreement that will expand access to consumer markets in Peru for U.S. fresh and chilled pork. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced the new trade agreement on April 10 during a meeting with producers in Des Moines, Iowa.
"Our priority at USDA is not only to open or reopen markets for our producers, but to help drive U.S. economic growth through trade by supporting and creating American jobs on and off the farm," said Vilsack. "We expect Peru's market could generate $5 million annually in additional pork sales."
USDA has conducted extensive negotiations with Peru's Servicio National De Sanidad Agraria (SENASA) since 2012 to expand access for U.S. fresh, chilled pork and pork products. USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service export library will be updated to the new export requirements for these pork and pork products exports.
At the same meeting, Vilsack also announced an agreement that will allow U.S. producers to export slaughter cattle to Mexico. The agreement between the U.S. and Mexico will take effect immediately and will allow U.S. producers to export slaughter cattle to Mexico for the first time in more than a decade. The two nations had been negotiating on the opening of cattle trade since 2008.
