The US Commerce Department has ruled that hogs imported from Canada are sold at unfairly low prices depressing US prices and announced plans to impose duties of up to 15% on all imports of the animal.

The duties would cover all live swine from Canada except breeding stock, with penalties ranging from 13.25% on Ontario pork to 15.01% on premium pork. The rate for all others has been set at 14.06%.

Canadian producers and US farmers buying Canadian hogs have opposed the plan, stressing the action is against free trade and will hurt Canada’s hog producers and many US farmers. Yet, the majority of farmers in the USA have welcomed the proposal.

A final decision is expected on March 7, 2005 after expert and individual comments have been considered. Canada exported about 7.5 million hogs to the USA last year valued at approximately $390 million.

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