Source:   Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 7/3/09

Emphasizing the importance of export markets to the U.S. pork industry, the National Pork Board is urging producers to use caution in administering antibiotics to their animals in order to meet residue limits of international markets.

In a letter to pork producers, National Pork Board President Steve Weaver specifically addresses the use of feed/water tetracycline-class antibiotics such as tetracycline, oxytetracycline or chlortetracycline.

Russia recently banned imports of pork from two Farmland Foods plants, citing findings of tetracycline. USDA, however, said the amounts detected were in line with U.S. standards.

Nonetheless, Weaver said U.S. pork producers who sell to packers that market product globally should take steps to help keep such markets open.

"Specifically, we need to follow the voluntary 14-day withdrawal period for all feed or water tetracycline class antibiotics," he wrote. "Based on currently available information, a withdrawal of 14 days when using feed or water forms of tetracycline class antibiotics should meet the residue limits of international markets for U.S. pork."

Exports contributed to $40.56 for every pig sold in the United States in 2008, Weaver noted, citing data from University of Missouri economists Ron Plain and Glenn Grimes. Exports in 2009 are expected to fall below the record levels of 2008, but the economists say exports still have a positive impact on hog prices.