The president of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) says he’s confident Congress will pass the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) before the end of the year.
John Weber says pork producers were in Washington, D.C., recently and were lobbying hard for approval of the 12-nation free trade deal.
He says most in Congress they met with understand the importance of trade to the economy – but the politics of an election year makes it considerably more difficult.
“I think you have to read through some of that politics. Our hope is that after this election, regardless of which party wins, there could very well be an opportunity for Congress to have a vote on TPP. I think the Administration would push it in its’ final days. We think the votes will be there.”
He tells Brownfield approval of TPP could come down to the last minute. But, if it doesn’t pass Weber says NPPC will be back in D.C. working with the next administration lobbying for approval.
“Trade is just too important to the U.S. pork industry to sit back and watch your competitors do trade deals with other countries and to lose market share.”
Source: brownfieldagnews.com