May 21, 2009
Central African nation lifts ban on pig imports
The Central African nation of Gabon has lifted the ban on imports of pigs and pig meat imposed April 29 on fears of the spread of the AH1N1 flu, an agriculture ministry spokesman on Wednesday (May 20).
According to media reports, the decision was made after considering the position of international organisations such as the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
A joint statement issued by the FAO, the OIE and the World Health Organisation (WHO) said the AH1N1 flu virus was not known to be transmissible to humans by eating their meat as proper cooking would kill any virus in the raw product.
