US beef and pork producers to get greater access to Mexico and Peru markets

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that it will expand the access of US beef and pork producers to consumers in Mexico and Peru.

The agreement announced by agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack will help producers to export slaughter cattle to Mexico and expand access to consumer markets in Peru for US fresh and chilled pork.

The agreement between US and Mexico will come into effect immediately, allowing US producers to export slaughter cattle to Mexico for the first time in more than a decade.

US has been in talks with Mexico over reopening the market since 2008 and the final agreement was reached between USDA Under Secretary Ed Avalos and Enrique Sanchez-Cruz with SAGARPA during meetings this week in Washington, DC.

The required documents will be made accessible to exporters and producers on the APHIS website or through their local veterinary services office.

Vilsack said: "Our priority at USDA is not only to open or reopen markets for our producers, but to help drive US economic growth through trade by supporting and creating American jobs on and off the farm.

"Mexico is an important market for US cattle producers, with the potential to import $15m of live US cattle a year and we expect Peru’s market could generate $5m annually in additional pork sales."

USDA has also been in negotiations with Peru’s Servicio National De Sanidad Agraria (SENASA) since 2012 to increase the access for US fresh, chilled pork and pork products.

"More than one million people go to work every day, thanks to exports of American-grown products," added Vilsack.

"Expanded US agricultural exports mean more new jobs, but our farmers and ranchers will miss out on new markets for American products if Congress doesn’t act on Trade Promotion Authority early this year and if we don’t continue to build support for a trans-pacific partnership with Asian nations."

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Image: The USDA agreement will open up the markets of Mexico and Peru for US beef and pork producers after years. Photo: courtesy of amenic181 via freedigitalphotos.net.