Amid Trump's Trade War, Durbin Meets With Illinois Pork Producers Association

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today met with the Illinois Pork Producers Association to discuss federal issues that affect the Illinois hog industry.  Illinois ranks fourth in the nation in pork production.  Producers emphasized the challenging market dynamics in the pork industry over the past several years, and the importance of maintaining free trade and strong export markets, including Canada, Mexico, and China.  Durbin and the members of the Illinois Pork Producers Association also discussed California’s Proposition 12 on the consumer pork prices in that state, the need for Congress to pass a bipartisan, five-year Farm Bill, as well as the critical role of foreign workers who help with workforce shortages.
“Let’s be clear:  President Trump’s reckless, chaotic, andpoorly executedtariff strategy already is hurting the Illinois agricultural sector, which relies heavily on trade with Canada, Mexico, and China,”said Durbin.“While the President is swerving down the road with no map, Illinois farmers will lose growing international markets forever to farmers in Brazil and Argentina.   I will continue to speak out on behalf of Illinois farmers against these poor decisions by the President.”
The meeting included producers from Clinton, Peoria, Effingham, and Knox Counties.
Photos of the meeting are availablehere.

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