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: How Swine Nutrition Can Revolutionize Biogas Production - Dr. Felipe Hickmann

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Felipe Hickmann from Laval University explores how nutritional strategies and manure management impact biogas production in pig farming. He breaks down the science behind anaerobic digestion at low temperatures and explains how dietary adjustments affect methane production and environmental sustainability. Learn how producers can reduce emissions and improve resource efficiency. Listen now on all major platforms!

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