The town was once known as the center of the Mexican pork industry, and still plays an important part in that industry.
The American pork industry, which generates farm income of $11 billion a year, sells to nearly 100 countries, he added.
It subsequently developed a range of products for the pork industry.
Meat quality issues cost the pork industry $200 million annually in the US.
It has also grown beyond just the pork industry.
In March 1992, the committee turned down the American pork industry's request.
The pork industry, also facing high feed costs, remained small.
Santa Cruz was expected to be the location of the pork industry's future growth.
"We've never seen this heavy a loss in the pork industry, not even in the Depression."
The pork industry estimates that the problem costs $90 million a year in lost revenue.