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john@nebraskafarmersunion.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 29, 2009

Farmers Union Says Pork Is Safe To Eat

Lincoln, Nebraska—“Pork is safe to eat, the Swine influenza virus is not transmitted by food, and Nebraska hog producers should not be penalized for a problem they did not cause,” Nebraska Farmers Union President John Hansen said today.

National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson added “The U.S. hog herd is healthy and the American pork supply is safe. News coverage of the influenza virus including pictures of pigs implies the virus and our hog herd are connected. According to U.S. health authorities, there is no evidence that the Swine influenza virus is transmitted through pork products."

Hansen noted that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have made it clear that swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food and consumers cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. “The food safety experts agree, eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products pose no health risk to food consumers. You will not get Swine Flu from eating pork. The naming of this influenza outbreak has led to a major public misperception that can potentially cause consumers to shy away from eating pork and pork products which can cause major financial harm to hard working pork producers who are already suffering large financial losses during the last two years. We are asking food consumers to do their homework, make sound health decisions including increased hand washing and avoiding crowds if possible. We should not cause any additional financial hardship to Nebraska pork producers when there is no food safety risk,” Hansen said.

“At a time when independent hog producers are fighting against a consolidated marketplace, among other challenges, it is paramount accurate information be communicated. U.S. pork products are safe and consumers should continue to be confident in those products," NFU President Johnson said.

Johnson also said there is no case of confirmed infection in animals where human infection has been detected, and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) has concluded that it is not necessary to introduce specific measures for international trade in swine or their products.

“U.S. trade officials should take swift and appropriate action relative to China and Russia’s decisions to suspend U.S. pork products. There is no food safety risk basis for suspending U.S. pork exports,” Hansen concluded.

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