Producers Stress Safety Of Pork As Swine Flu Worries Grow
Swine Flu Isn't Transmitted Through Pork
Posted: 9:42 pm CDT April 29,2009
MADISON, Wis. -- Health concerns from the swine flu aren't the only worry as pork producers in the area and nationwide are fighting the stigma associated with the name of the virus.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportFarmers said they want to get the word out that the pork they're raising is safe.Many consumers' closest connection with swine is bacon or pork chops, which producers are reiterating are safe. They're letting the public know that the swine flu in the U.S. is being transmitted by humans, not pigs.Local Berkshire producer Bob Uphoff's baby pigs are destined for travel."About 95 percent of our production ends up in Japan, so we are concerned as far as the world demand of the pork," said Uphoff.Demand is a question mark as the stigma of the so-called "swine flu" spreads worldwide and countries like Russia and China have cut off U.S. pork exports."For them to be referring to it as the 'swine flu' kind of upsets us, and it puts foreign countries on the defensive as far as trying to bring U.S. pork into their countries. They think there's something wrong with the meat, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with the meat," Uphoff said.The virus, which producers said they'd prefer be called "H1N1" can't be transmitted through pork.But concerns over exports are driving down prices."Not only have the cash prices seen about a $3 decrease that they receive for their animals on a per hundredweight basis, but the futures have been trading down at almost the limit for the last two days as well. So that will significantly impact the profitability of pork producers across the state of Wisconsin as well as the nation," said Tammy Vaasen, of the Wisconsin Pork Association.With the profitability of pork in question, Uphoff said he is on a mission to educate."We're hoping that common sense will prevail on this, (and) people will begin to understand that it does not affect the pork or the meat and it is not from pigs themselves. It's a human virus at this point," Uphoff said.The U.S. secretary of agriculture and the National Pork Board are arguing to call it the "H1N1" virus because no U.S. pork has been infected or is transmitting the virus.In the meantime, many producers, including Uphoff, are beefing up bio-security measures for visitors to make sure the virus doesn't enter the hog population.For more information about the swine flu, visit this Web site.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportFarmers said they want to get the word out that the pork they're raising is safe.Many consumers' closest connection with swine is bacon or pork chops, which producers are reiterating are safe. They're letting the public know that the swine flu in the U.S. is being transmitted by humans, not pigs.Local Berkshire producer Bob Uphoff's baby pigs are destined for travel."About 95 percent of our production ends up in Japan, so we are concerned as far as the world demand of the pork," said Uphoff.Demand is a question mark as the stigma of the so-called "swine flu" spreads worldwide and countries like Russia and China have cut off U.S. pork exports."For them to be referring to it as the 'swine flu' kind of upsets us, and it puts foreign countries on the defensive as far as trying to bring U.S. pork into their countries. They think there's something wrong with the meat, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with the meat," Uphoff said.The virus, which producers said they'd prefer be called "H1N1" can't be transmitted through pork.But concerns over exports are driving down prices."Not only have the cash prices seen about a $3 decrease that they receive for their animals on a per hundredweight basis, but the futures have been trading down at almost the limit for the last two days as well. So that will significantly impact the profitability of pork producers across the state of Wisconsin as well as the nation," said Tammy Vaasen, of the Wisconsin Pork Association.With the profitability of pork in question, Uphoff said he is on a mission to educate."We're hoping that common sense will prevail on this, (and) people will begin to understand that it does not affect the pork or the meat and it is not from pigs themselves. It's a human virus at this point," Uphoff said.The U.S. secretary of agriculture and the National Pork Board are arguing to call it the "H1N1" virus because no U.S. pork has been infected or is transmitting the virus.In the meantime, many producers, including Uphoff, are beefing up bio-security measures for visitors to make sure the virus doesn't enter the hog population.For more information about the swine flu, visit this Web site.
Previous Stories:
- April 29, 2009: Officials: Probable Cases Of Swine Flu Found In Wisconsin
- April 29, 2009: UW Study Looks At Effects Of Possible Pandemic
- April 29, 2009: Hispanic Community Reacts To Swine Flu
- April 29, 2009: Outbreak Could Alter Study Abroad Plans For Students
- April 28, 2009: How Worried Should State Residents Be About Swine Flu?
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