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Call it H1N1By John Schlageck Kansas Farm Bureau Four months after the outbreak of H1N1, you'd think the media would get it right. They haven't. Turn on the radio or television, check out blogs, tweets and Facebook. Everyone is still calling the latest influenza, "swine flu." That's wrong. Inaccurate. This disease is H1N1. While this influenza can be found in swine, as well as birds, humans and other animals, it's a lot easier name to use for millions of people than H1N1, or North American Flu or Hybrid influenza. All three are more accurate. This flu nickname attached to swine production is the last thing hog farmers needed. Because of the unfortunate name choice, exports of U.S. pork have dropped, eliminating a key market rally that is typically seen each summer. This summer's rally was especially crucial; hog farmers have lost money since September 2007. Hog farmers have lost more than half of their accumulated equity since September 2007. Hog farmers desperately needed a summer rally to return profit to their farms. Yes, this false image associating this latest flu bug associated with swine has hit pork producers deep in the pocketbook. Since September 2007, pork producers have lost an average of more than $21 on each hog marketed, and current hog futures show losses well into next year. Ron Plain, University of Missouri Extension economist, anticipates losses of $400 million during the last four months due to the market impact of the H1N1 hysteria. Douglas County farmer Loren Baldwin has raised hogs on his family farm since 1997. Until recently, the young hog producer ran a 40-head sow operation raising pigs. "It's sad to say but the recent tag of 'swine flu' is probably going to finish off the family hog business," Baldwin says. "Coupled with the high input prices, linking this influenza with our swine production will be the straw that breaks our backs." The Douglas County hog producer recently sold all but two of his sows. He keeps the sows to raise pigs so he can process them and eat pork on his family's diversified farm. Baldwin is worried about producers who raise safe pork. They are good, hard-working multi-generational farmers, but they're fighting an uphill battle. The cruel irony about this whole H1N1 scenario is that Kansans and other Americans should all be eating plenty of pork, beef and other protein sources to fight off the flu virus this coming season. Nutritionists believe and will tell you that minerals and vitamins, especially vitamin B, once again found in protein like pork, strengthen the body's immune system. "Pork is a healthy, nutritious food," Baldwin says. "It tastes wonderful and it's good for you. You cannot get the flu from eating pork." H1N1 influenza is not a food-borne illness. The safety of pork and pork products has been affirmed by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Organization for Animal Health, the World Health Organization and the World Trade Organization. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has said U.S. pork is safe to eat. His statement is supported by recent research conducted by the National Animal Disease Center and international researchers. Influenza is a respiratory disease and the virus is not found in the blood or meat of healthy pigs or in pigs that have recovered from the illness. Of course, sick pigs are never allowed to enter the food supply. Hog farmers have protocols established for caring for animals that develop illness. Ill pigs are not sent to market. Just like humans, pigs can get ill but, like humans, they recover. Call this latest influenza by its correct name. It's H1N1. If the 6 and 7 year old sons and daughters of thousands of swine farms across the United States know and can say H1N1, the media and those in public forums can surely do the same. These dedicated family farmers eat the same food as other Americans. They eat the same bacon, ham and pork chops we do. They are just as concerned about and want to ensure their families have a safe food supply raised here in the United States. The best way to help ensure the safety and security of our domestic food supply is to support the U.S. hog industry. Buy and enjoy U.S. pork and encourage your lawmakers to support trade agreements to open export markets. U.S. pork is safe and nutritious, and hog farming contributes needed jobs in the United States.
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