May 6, 2009

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) has stated that the US pork industry is almost on the verge of financial disaster.

NPPC said that everyone working in the pork industry must address influenza A(H1N1) outbreak misinformation, which already has aggravated an economic crisis in the pork industry.

NPPC further stated that the reporting of influenza A(H1N1) as "swine flu" has compounded the economic grip the US pork industry has been facing over the past 19 months, when producers lost an average of US$20 per hog.

According to the NPPC, producers have lost another US$6 per pig, with average hog prices dropping from US$124 a head on April 24 to US$118 on April 28, since the flu outbreak hit the news headlines. Because of this drop, it has cost the industry about US$2.5 million per day.

Currently, the media still makes reference to the current influenza as "swine flu" despite the fact that this flu virus is not of pig origin.

US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) president and chief executive officer Philip Seng said the federation is working in each market to prevent expansion of obstacles to trade, and limit the scope and length of any trade suspensions,"

These efforts include frequent contact with trade and food safety officials in overseas markets in order to provide sound, scientific facts that they are able to use to reassure the public about the safety of US pork.

In some cases, the results have been highly successful as several major trading partners have resisted pressure to impose bans or restrictions on pork imports.

Japan, South Korea and Taiwan are just a few examples of markets in which US pork continues to be readily available to consumers, and where health officials have emphasised the safety of pork.