February 26, 2020

Hormel removes China banned ractopamine from swine supply

Hormel Foods, a spam producer, has removed the growth drug ractopamine from its swine supply chain, following competitors JBS and Tyson Foods in a bid to boost meat exports to China, reported Reuters.

Hormel Foods said in a statement that it will not accept swine fed or exposed to ractopamine. This follows JBS USA and Tyson Foods statements last year that they will eliminate the drug from their supply chains.

There is an increased demand for meat in China after the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak decimated swine herds, causing dwindling supply for meat.

China and the European Union has prohibited the use of ractopamine, used to raise leaner swine. Ractopamine is produced by Elanco Animal Health under the brand name Paylean.

Elanco said it is disappointed by Hormel's decision.

China is said to purchase more pork from the United States as part of its pledge to boost agricultural imports following both parties' Phase 1 trade deal. China will grant exemptions to imposed retaliatory tariffs on 696 products from the United States, which include pork.

As part of the trade deal, China will work with experts from the United States for ractopamine risk assessments in swine and cattle. Both countries will create a joint working group to determine future steps based on the initial assessment results.

Pork prices in China last week were close to record highs set last year after transport restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 outbreak has affected the domestic swine industry and delayed the resumption of slaughtering plants.

Hormel does not slaughter swine but works together with suppliers, which process the livestock to be made in Hormel's ham, pork tenderloin and other meat products.

-      Reuters