Obama Faces Push Back from Ag Groups over TPP Negotiations

May 29, 2014

A coalition of agriculture associations in the United States are unhappy with the way that the Obama administration has been handling the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. In particular, concerns have been raised about the U.S. allowing Japan to keep its tariffs on certain agricultural products, including dairy, sugar, rice, beef, pork, wheat and barley.

In a release produced by the National Pork Producers (NPPC), agriculture groups urge President Obama to conclude TPP talks and leave Japan out of the deal, unless it agrees to eliminate its gate price system and tariffs on agricultural products.

Farm groups are worried that if the U.S. gives Japan special treatment that it will set a bad precedent, making way for other countries to request similar treatment. Ultimately, the stalled talks with Japan could jeopardize the entire trade agreement.

The TPP includes the United States, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. According to NPPC, the combined countries account for almost 40 per cent of the global GDP.

Video: Secure Pork Supply Plan | Prepare to Protect Your Herd | U.S. Pork Producers

Join Jill Brokaw, a third-generation pig farmer, as she dives into the vital role of the Secure Pork Supply (SPS) Plan in preparing the U.S. pork industry for potential foreign animal disease outbreaks. This video is an essential watch for pork producers who are looking to safeguard their operations against the threats of diseases like foot and mouth disease, classical swine fever, and African swine fever. Why Should Pork Producers Care? An outbreak of foreign animal diseases in the U.S. could lead to severe restrictions and potentially result in industry-wide financial losses estimated between $15 to $100 billion. The SPS Plan is a collective effort to prevent such catastrophic outcomes by enhancing biosecurity, ensuring animal traceability, and promoting effective disease monitoring.