By DOUG SCHMITZ
Iowa Correspondent

ALGONA, Iowa — The National Pork Board (NPB) announced last week its partnership with the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) to allocate $100,000 from the pork checkoff, to purchase pork products for distribution to victims of Japan’s March 11 massive earthquake and tsunami.

“Our hearts go out to the Japanese people who have suffered from this terrible natural disaster,” said Conley Nelson, an Algona, Iowa, pork producer and NPB member. “The United States has named its relief efforts in Japan Operation Tomodachi, or Operation Friendship.

“In the spirit of friendship, U.S. pork producers are pleased that we can become a small part of the effort to help alleviate the suffering of those affected by the earthquake.”

The Des Moines-based NPB said estimates now are that more than a half million Japanese residents are without adequate food and shelter, with food shortages expected to last into the summer months.

The USMEF, which represents the U.S. meat industry in Japan from its office in Tokyo, said it would work with U.S. pork packers and others in the industry who have established distribution networks in Japan, to ensure the food gets to those who need it.

“As the situation begins to stabilize, there still will be a dire need to feed these homeless families,” said Joe Schuele, USMEF communications director. “To address this longer-term need, the USMEF will serve as the umbrella for the U.S. red meat industry to pool its resources to provide food products to help those Japanese residents who are in need.”

The goal of the USMEF’s two-phase outreach program is to ensure that food requiring little or no preparation – such as pre-made bento (lunch) boxes – can be provided to people who have been displaced.

“As an American pork producer, I am proud that U.S. pork producers and importers through the National Pork Board are the first to step forward and provide seed money for this critical initiative,” said Danita Rodibaugh, USMEF chair-elect and a Rensselaer, Ind., pork producer.

“We are hopeful that others will join us and offer their support for the people of Japan who have been great friends of U.S. agriculture.”

According to the NPB, the United States and Japan have a longstanding relationship involving pigs and pork, with the pork checkoff promoting pork in Japan for many years and building a loyal customer base.

“In recent years, Japan has been the top export customer for U.S. pork,” Nelson said. “In 2010, Japan purchased $1.6 billion of U.S. pork. It is natural that we would continue to provide these great customers with high-quality U.S. pork in their time of need.”

In 2010, Japan was the third largest market for U.S. beef, purchasing more than 274 million pounds of product valued at nearly $640 million, the USMEF said. “Every pound of U.S. pork exported represents the utilization of 1.3 pounds of U.S. soybeans through feed, while every pound of U.S. beef represents the utilization of 5.7 pounds of U.S. corn,” the USMEF added.
USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng said the second phase of its program is critical because there will be a significant ongoing need in Japan.

“It’s not uncommon for natural disasters to generate an immediate outpouring of support that wanes as the media moves onto other issues,” he said. “This program is designed to create a sustained effort after the spotlight has left those in need.”

More than 50 years ago, the Yamanashi Prefecture in Japan was hit by two typhoons and lost much of its agricultural infrastructure in the disaster.
At that time, a U.S. Air Force sergeant from Iowa who was serving in Tokyo worked with the U.S. embassy in Tokyo, to arrange for some Iowa hogs to be sent to Japan to help its residents rebuild their hog industry.

“To this day, much of the pork raised in Japan has genetic links to those Iowa pigs,” Cunningham said.

“Last summer, several Iowa pork producers were part of a group that visited Japan to celebrate the 50th anniversary of what has become known as the Iowa Hog Lift.”

The Meat Export Federation stated its Japan staff members are all safe and are walking as far as 20 miles to reach their homes.

They are also in communication with the USMEF’s Denver, Colo., headquarters and will be providing updates as the situation develops.

Those interested in participating either through pork product or monetary donations may contact Jim Herlihy at the USMEF, at 303-623-6328 or by e-mailing jherlihy@usmef.org