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Analyst says livestock industry needs TPP

 

A livestock economist says the Trans Pacific Partnership has big potential for the livestock market in the long-term.

But, University of Missouri’s Scott Brown says there is talk that there isn’t support for trade agreement in the lame-duck session of Congress.

And he says that has the livestock industry concerned.  “When you look at where consumers of American meat are going to be in the future and where are the growing parts of meat consumption – it’s going to occur outside of the United States,” he says.  “We certainly have to get those trade barriers down.”

He tells Brownfield the pork sector is set to increase slaughter capacity in 2017, but the industry has to find a place to put that product.  “And I think many of us feel like the home for that additional pork is going to be international markets,” he says.  “And getting more open access to more important markets is going to be critical as we look ahead.”

Brown says he doesn’t think expansion of the livestock industry is over just yet – and that will increase supplies.  Which he says, will continue to put pressure on prices.