U.S. Meat Export Federation Statement on H1N1 Confirmation
U.S. Meat Export Federation Statement on H1N1 Confirmation
Oct. 19, 2009 — Earlier today, USDA confirmed that pigs in Minnesota have tested positive for the novel H1N1 virus. This is the first such finding in the U.S. swine herd, though pigs in several other nations have tested positive for the virus over the past few months.
“USMEF has been preparing for this event for some time, and our international staff has been working diligently with trade officials, importers, retailers and all involved in international pork trade to minimize any adverse reaction from our trading partners,” said USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng. “This is part of a strong, collaborative effort by everyone in the U.S. pork industry to ensure that our producers continue to have fair market access as well as strong consumer demand for U.S. pork in our foreign markets.”
When the H1N1 outbreak began earlier this year, the vast majority of U.S. trading partners acted very responsibly and did not close their markets to U.S. pork. With the exception of China, most major markets for U.S. pork either remained continuously open or reopened after a brief suspension.
USMEF actively promotes U.S. pork in more than 80 countries across the world. While consumer resistance to pork has been present in some markets due to H1N1 influenza, USMEF has been largely successful in overcoming misinformation about the virus and in rebuilding consumer pork demand.
Exporters, producers or others seeking information on the status of the international markets for U.S. pork may contact USMEF at 303-623-6328 or by visiting www.usmef.org.
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The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.
For more information, contact Joe Schuele at jschuele@usmef.org.
USMEF complies with all equal opportunity, non-discrimination and affirmative action measures applicable to it by contract, government rule or regulation or as otherwise provided by law.
U.S. Meat Export Federation Statement on H1N1 Confirmation
Oct. 19, 2009 — Earlier today, USDA confirmed that pigs in Minnesota have tested positive for the novel H1N1 virus. This is the first such finding in the U.S. swine herd, though pigs in several other nations have tested positive for the virus over the past few months.
“USMEF has been preparing for this event for some time, and our international staff has been working diligently with trade officials, importers, retailers and all involved in international pork trade to minimize any adverse reaction from our trading partners,” said USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng. “This is part of a strong, collaborative effort by everyone in the U.S. pork industry to ensure that our producers continue to have fair market access as well as strong consumer demand for U.S. pork in our foreign markets.”
When the H1N1 outbreak began earlier this year, the vast majority of U.S. trading partners acted very responsibly and did not close their markets to U.S. pork. With the exception of China, most major markets for U.S. pork either remained continuously open or reopened after a brief suspension.
USMEF actively promotes U.S. pork in more than 80 countries across the world. While consumer resistance to pork has been present in some markets due to H1N1 influenza, USMEF has been largely successful in overcoming misinformation about the virus and in rebuilding consumer pork demand.
Exporters, producers or others seeking information on the status of the international markets for U.S. pork may contact USMEF at 303-623-6328 or by visiting www.usmef.org.
# # #
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.
For more information, contact Joe Schuele at jschuele@usmef.org.
USMEF complies with all equal opportunity, non-discrimination and affirmative action measures applicable to it by contract, government rule or regulation or as otherwise provided by law.