April 28, 2009

UK pig sector assures pork safety

UK consumers are urged not to turn their backs on pork products over swine flu fears as it is a human health risk.

The National Pig Association said the disease is transmitted between people and the World Health Organisation had confirmed that pork products are safe for consumption. The UN also stated those who had been infected so far did not have contact with pigs.

DEFRA chief veterinary officer Nigel Gibbons said swine flu cannot be transmitted by eating pork products, and it is perfectly safe to eat properly handled and cooked pork and pork products.

Gibbons said existing EU rules preventing imports of all live pigs and pork from Mexico into the EU would remain in place.

Gibbons said swine flu is currently present in the UK pig herd but it is at a low level. Last year, 396 pigs were tested for the disease, of which 13 were positive. But the UK pig herd was continually monitored for swine flu and there was currently no evidence of the Mexican variant of the disease, he added.