U.S. beef and pork gain greater access to Mexico, Peru

The two agreements announced Friday will allow U.S. producers to export slaughter cattle to Mexico and expand pork shipments to Peru.    The U.S. Department of Agriculture has reached agreements with Mexico and Peru to allow American beef and pork producers greater access to those markets.
   Specifically, the two agreements announced Friday will allow U.S. producers to export slaughter cattle to Mexico and expand access to consumer markets in Peru for U.S. fresh and chilled pork. 
   “Our priority at USDA is not only to open or reopen markets for our producers, but to help drive U.S. economic growth through trade by supporting and creating American jobs on and off the farm,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a statement. “Mexico is an important market for U.S. cattle producers, with the potential to import $15 million of live U.S. cattle per year and we expect Peru’s market could generate $5 million annually in additional pork sales.”
   The United States and Mexico reached an agreement that takes effect immediately and will allow U.S. producers to export slaughter cattle to Mexico for the first time in over a decade. The USDA has been working with Mexico since 2008 to reopen this market. 
   Similarly, USDA has conducted extensive negotiations with Peru’s Servicio National De Sanidad Agraria (SENASA) since 2012 to expand access for U.S. fresh, chilled pork and pork products.