Missouri pork sector seeks international expansion

Missouri's pork industry wants to expand into international markets to boost prices, while at the same time its members are working to sell their neighbours and communities on the industry's economic impact back home.

Industry officials also are asking for federal stimulus money to compensate for losses, but some critics said federal money has been making matters worse for the farmers.

Hog producers and others met last week and said the Congress needs to take up trade agreements that would open up countries such as Colombia and South Korea to US pork exports.

The hog industry is facing environmental and other challenges from groups that want regulators and federal agencies to clamp down.

A group of organisations presented a petition to Tom Vilsack, US agriculture secretary, asking for a suspension of federal loans for creating new hog and poultry operations in the country or expanding existing ones. They are arguing the hog industry already suffers from overproduction.

In response, officials with the Missouri Pork Association want to underscore the pork industry's ties to local communities, especially economic ties.

And while opponents want the US Department of Agriculture to tighten federal loans, livestock growers are asking for more federal help.