Canada suspends imports from biggest US pork processing plant

Canada has blocked imports from the biggest US pork processing plant, a facility run by Smithfield Foods in Tar Heel, North Carolina. The suspension comes as Washington and Ottawa have sparred in a heated dispute over trade tariffs. It is the latest blow for America’s farm sector, which has been roiled by concerns that US tariffs will spark retaliation from top importers that reduces demand for American agricultural products. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said the suspension was in line with standard protocols and unrelated to recent trade activity. The agency and Smithfield, the largest US pork processor, did not specify what triggered Canada’s action. “Under Canada’s policy, three noncompliance issues within six months trigger a temporary suspension,” USDA said. Blocking shipments from the plant limits a market for US pork products. USDA is working with Smithfield to address the issues and develop a corrective action plan that will be communicated to Canadian ...