DES MOINES, Iowa – The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) has expressed its support for a new voluntary trichinae certification program announced this week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The NPPC said that the national program will address the fact that Trichinella spiralis is very rare in the United States and address concerns by U.S. trading partners such as European Union, Russia, Chile and Singapore. These countries require trichinae testing for all fresh and frozen pork imports.

“The trichinae certification program will give our trading partners evidence of what USDA and every U.S. pork producer has known for years – trichinae is not a problem in U.S. pork,” said NPPC President Bryan Black. “We expect this program to expand U.S. pork exports.”

The Farm Bill includes authorization of $1.5 million annually over five years for the program.

Source: National Pork Producers Council