Minnesota Farmers Fight Perception of Pork, Flu Link
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May 1, 2009
St. Paul, MN – Pork producers are concerned some consumers and traders think the flu virus spreading around the world is caused by pork products. This comes as an increasing number of cases of the flu are being reported across the country and worldwide. Producers say the name "swine flu" is inaccurate and falsely associates pork with the virus.
Minnesota Farmers Union President Doug Peterson says it simply isn’t so.
"The pork products born, raised and slaughtered from the United States are the safest and healthiest piece of meat that you can buy. There’s absolutely no connection between the virus and the pork production or swine."
That fact has been verified by the Centers for Disease Control, says Peterson, which finds the influenza strain isn’t spread by food -- it’s an airborne, human-to-human illness. Cooked pork products are safe, he adds. Peterson wants to set straight what he calls misinformation about the virus, which he says is affecting the pork markets.
"Misinformation can kill an industry, So, you end up with consumers not buying, which doesn’t work in a tight market where you have low prices, high inputs and tight credit."
Pork producers, who export $5 billion-worth of products a year, have a lot at stake. Several countries, including Russia and China, have already banned imported pork. And, that raises concerns about growing protectionism and slowing world trade, says Peterson. Producers support the government's decision to change the virus' name from "swine flu" to "H-1-N-1 Influenza A."
More information is available at the C.D.C Web site: www.cdc.gov/swineflu.