National Pork Producers Council leaders conducted the traditional first day World Pork Expo press conference this morning to discuss issues of importance to the industry.

Among the bigger issues is expanding international markets for U.S. pork by getting Congress to pass the three pending free trade agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama. “We need new and expanded markets,” said NPPC immediate past president Sam Carney of Iowa. “These FTAs combined would add more than $11 to the price producers receive for their pigs and would generate about 10,000 U.S. jobs.”

Carney says they hope to get the FTAs passed before summer recess or right after. “We’re frustrated but yet we’re hopeful we’re gonna get it done,” he said.

Press conference audio from Carney: NPPC past president Sam Carney

2011 World Pork Expo Photo Album