The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) has presented the “Friend of the U.S. Pork Producer Award” to President George W. Bush.

NPPC President Keith Berry of Greencastle, IN, says the award reflected “the President’s strong trade agenda, a historic conservation title in the Farm Bill and his tireless work protecting the nation’s livestock herd.” The bipartisan award is given by NPPC to elected officials who have diligently worked on behalf of America’s pork producers.

“President Bush’s leadership in opening new and growing foreign markets for U.S. pork has contributed to the bottom line of America’s pork producers,” adds Berry. “Producers are already seeing tangible benefits of the Free Trade Agreement with Chile that was passed and signed by the President last year. In addition, President Bush and his staff worked tirelessly to maintain and expand market access for U.S. pork in Mexico and Russia, two of our largest customers.”