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Canadian, U.S., and Mexican Pork Producers United on Need to Protect Free Trade

U.S. voice strong support for maintaining the free flow of agricultural products across borders.

Florian Possberg, a partner at Polar Pork Farms, recently led an 11-member, three-generation delegation from Humboldt, Saskatchewan to the 2025 World Pork Expo in Des Moines. The goal: connect with U.S. producers, Canadian peers, and key customers — and emphasize the importance of trade unity.

“Across North America — Canadians, Mexicans, Americans — we operate in a deeply integrated pork market,” said Possberg. “It functions best with uninterrupted free trade and healthy competition.”

He noted that virtually all stakeholders in the industry—producers and processors alike—oppose barriers like tariffs or country-of-origin labeling mandates that could disrupt these long-standing relationships.

While U.S.-Canada trade agreements are under review, some U.S. concerns remain around Canadian supply management in dairy and, to a lesser extent, poultry. Possberg expressed hope that these tensions don’t spill over into hog, cattle, or grain negotiations.

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Advancing Swine Disease Traceability: USDA's No-Cost RFID Tag Program for Market Channels

Video: Advancing Swine Disease Traceability: USDA's No-Cost RFID Tag Program for Market Channels

On-demand webinar, hosted by the Meat Institute, experts from the USDA, National Pork Board (NPB) and Merck Animal Health introduced the no-cost 840 RFID tag program—a five-year initiative supported through African swine fever (ASF) preparedness efforts. Beginning in Fall 2025, eligible sow producers, exhibition swine owners and State Animal Health Officials can order USDA-funded RFID tags through Merck A2025-10_nimal Health.

NPB staff also highlighted an additional initiative, funded by USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services through NPB, that helps reduce the cost of transitioning to RFID tags across the swine industry and strengthens national traceability efforts.

Topics Covered:

•USDA’s RFID tag initiative background and current traceability practices

•How to access and order no-cost 840 RFID tags

•Equipment support for tag readers and panels

•Implementation timelines for market and cull sow channels How RFID improves ASF preparedness an