FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, October 29, 2009		 Contact: Rebecca Loving or
Whitney Frost (202)225-2876
 
Skelton Praises Pork Trade Breakthrough with China
 
            WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) praised today’s announcement by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk that China has agreed to resume imports of U.S. pork products to the Chinese market.  The spread of H1N1 human influenza cases in the U.S. prompted China to irresponsibly impose a ban on imported U.S. pork products in May 2009. 
 
“Today’s announcement is a boost for Missouri pork producers.  Trade is an indispensible part of the agricultural market.
 
“Earlier this year, China made an irresponsible decision to restrict American pork and swine imports.  Its decision was based on flawed notions regarding H1N1 human influenza.  I am pleased that Secretary Vilsack and Trade Representative Kirk have worked diligently to remind America’s trading partners that they must adhere to scientific data when making decisions about the marketplace.  Today’s decision by China to again begin accepting pork and swine imports from the United States is a positive step forward,” said Skelton.
 
Congressman Skelton recently met in Sedalia with Missouri pork producers.  Trade and this particular trade impasse with China represented an important part of their discussion.  Earlier this year, Congressman Skelton wrote to Secretary Vilsack and Trade Representative Kirk to thank them for their forceful statements in support of the U.S. pork industry.  Additionally, the Congressman worked with his colleagues to fix an dispute regarding Chinese poultry that had been problematic in America’s trade policies with China.  The trade issue, which many in the livestock sector blamed for China’s reaction to H1N1 human influenza, was resolved with enactment of the Fiscal Year 2010 Agriculture Appropriations Act, which was signed into law on October 21, 2009.
 
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Attachments:    04/28/09 Skelton letter to Vilsack and Kirk
05/20/09 US Trade Representative letter to Skelton
07/27/09 Skelton letter to DeLauro

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Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) serves as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee . For further information, please contact Rebecca Loving or Whitney Frost at 202-225-2876, or check Congressman Skelton’s website at http://www.house.gov/skelton.

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