(DES MOINES) – Gov. Kim Reynolds, Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey issued statements Monday following news late last week that the Trump administration struck a deal with Argentina to reopen that market to U.S. pork.
“I commend President Trump and his administration for reaching an agreement with Argentina,” Gov. Reynolds said. “Iowa is the number one pork producing state and home to nearly a third of our nation’s hogs. This additional market for U.S. pork is incredible news for our state.”
“Argentina is the third largest economy in Latin America,” Lt. Gov. Gregg said. “Their market will help expand opportunities for Iowa’s pork exports. I commend the Trump administration for sealing this important deal and greatly benefitting our state’s pork producers.”
“Exports are vitally important to the pork industry, representing 26 percent of U.S. production and adding more than $62 to the value of each pig,” Sec. Northey said. “The potential for further growth is tremendous. As the nation’s leading pork producer, the announcement that Argentina will reopen their market to U.S. pork is great news for our state’s pork farmers, and I thank the Trump administration for finalizing this agreement.”
U.S. pork has been banned from Argentina since 1992 due to unscientific mitigation requirements and other sanitary issues not based on science.
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