May 4, 2009

US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke has urged China and Russia to end bans on importing American pork spurred by the outbreak of a new flu strain that includes swine flu, saying the product is safe and that trade shouldn't be restricted without cause.

 

The Commerce Department said Friday (May 1) that Locke raised the issue in letters to his Chinese and Russian counterparts and in a meeting in Washington, D.C., Thursday (Apr 30) with Chinese Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong.

 

China and Russia, which account for nearly 20 percent of US pork exports, suspended imports of American pork in the wake of the flu outbreak. The strain, known as H1N1, is a combination of human, swine and avian flu not previously seen. US officials say the import ban was put in place even though scientists say the H1N1 flu virus cannot be transmitted by food and the World Health Organisation has said there is no risk of infection from eating pork products that are well-cooked.

 

"Government actions during this time of economic uncertainty and international concern about influenza must be based on scientific evidence," Locke wrote. "There should be no restrictions on trade without cause.

 

Locke's letter included assurances that his family continues to eat American pork and has "no reservations about its safety."