At a U.S. Trade Representative hearing Tuesday, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) called for Thailand’s preferential access to the U.S. market to be revoked or reduced if it does not end its unwarranted ban on U.S. pork.

Thailand is a top beneficiary of the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program, which gives duty-free treatment to certain goods entering the U.S. The program allows for removal of a country’s benefits if it fails to provide the U.S. with “equitable and reasonable access” to its market.

“Thailand takes full advantage of special U.S. trade benefits, contributing significantly to its large trade surplus with the United States,” NPPC director of international affairs Maria Zieba testified. “It does so while imposing a completely unjustified virtual ban on imports of U.S. pork. President (Donald) Trump has called for reciprocity in our trading relationship with other countries, but there is no reciprocity at all in our trading relationship with Thailand when it comes to pork.”

Thailand bans pork produced with ractopamine, a feed ingredient approved for use after numerous scientific assessments by world health organizations declared it safe. Thailand also does not import uncooked pork and pork offal from the U.S., even though it imports these products from other international suppliers. Other obstacles include excessive import permit fees and high tariffs on agricultural products.

Related:USTR to review Thailand’s pork GSP trade benefits

U.S. pork producers currently face retaliatory tariffs in key export markets, such as China and Mexico, at a time of peak production levels. It’s critical that new export markets are opened for U.S. pork and other sectors of agriculture, according to NPPC.

“The United States ships safe, wholesome and competitively priced pork to more than 100 countries around the world,” Zieba said. “There is no legitimate reason for Thailand to maintain its de facto ban on U.S. pork.”

Following a petition from NPPC, USTR in May agreed to review Thailand’s eligibility for the U.S. GSP program. A letter signed by more than 40 members of the House of Representatives was also sent to Thailand’s ambassador to the U.S. calling for the removal of restrictions on imports of U.S. farm products, including pork.