The Philippines’ government plans to hold a hearing to consider a proposal to reduce its pork tariffs for in-quota and out-quota imports. South Dakota Pork Producers Council President Shane Odegaard says that’s an encouraging development that will hopefully lead to more sale of U.S. pork to the Philippines.

He says trade remains a critical focus for America’s pork producers and each market possibility needs to be worked on.

Odegaard says when it comes to trade, it’s important to not only work with potential Southeast Asian customers like China, the Philippines and Vietnam but also other countries one wouldn’t normally think of.

The Philippines government is set to meet Thursday to consider their tariff reduction proposal which includes pork imports under the minimum access volume have a five percent tariff for the next six months and a ten percent tariff for the succeeding six months as compared to the current 30 percent tariff.