The Confederation of Mexican Pork, the Canadian Pork Council and the National Pork Producers Council, at a meeting held in Merida, Mexico, noted the tight world grain markets. In the United States, for example, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that there are only 20 days of corn carryover stocks – the lowest level since 1995.
The groups issued the following statement:
The pork industries of the three North American countries met in Merida, Yucatán in Mexico (11 March).
In that meeting the main worry expressed by all participants was the short and long term availability of feed grain.
Industry representatives have already expressed these worries to their national governments but country delegates agreed to make a call for NAFTA agricultural ministers to meet and address this issue seriously.
If the availability of feed is not addressed in a responsible manner, the ability of hundreds of millions of people to consume pork and other meat and poultry products will be jeopardized.
- Rigoberto Espinoza , Presidente de la Confederacion de Porcicultores Mexicanos
- Doug Wolf, President National Pork Producers Council
- Jurgen Preugschas, President Canadian Pork Council