10/30/2009 7:50:02 AM

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By Heather J. Carlson

Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN 

A long awaited glimmer of hope emerged Thursday for local pork producers who have faced tough times.

	What happened: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced that China has agreed to open its doors to U.S. pork. China had stopped imports because of H1N1 flu concerns, even though the flu cannot be transmitted through pork. Why it matters: China is the second-largest volume market for U.S. pork exports. Minnesota producers lost $646 million in gross income and indirect income between April 24 and this month. What comes next: The opening of the markets should ease struggles among pork producers.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced that China has agreed open its doors to U.S. pork. Preston pork producer Craig Mensink said this will be a boost for Minnesota's pork industry.

"I know that as a pork producer, and I am sure that everybody is with me on this that raises pigs, we're very happy with the efforts of Secretary Vilsack and the Obama Administration to try and get this done," he said.

China stopped accepting U.S. pork exports earlier this year because of fears surrounding the H1N1 virus, even though the flu cannot be transmitted through pork. China was the second-largest volume market for U.S. pork exports. Since September 2007, the U.S. pork industry has lost $4.6 billion in equity. In Minnesota, pork producers in Minnesota have lost $646 million in gross income and indirect income between April 24 and October.

Members of Minnesota's congressional delegation praised the news as a step in helping revive the pork industry.

"The pork industry is critically important to our rural economy in southern Minnesota," said 1st District DFL Rep. Tim Walz. "We need to do what's necessary to help these struggling producers who are creating hundreds of jobs and bringing millions in economic activity to this region."

The troubles in the pork industry started 20 months ago, with feed prices rising. Then the H1N1 virus exacerbated the problem when it surfaced earlier this year. Currently, Mensick said, he has been averaging a loss of $30 per hog.

Mensick did note that China has simply indicated it plans to reopen his market. He said he will be waiting to see when the product starts moving. Still, he said this is a welcome bit of news for the region's pork producers.

He added that China "Is a great market. They've got a lot of people to feed over there."

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