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Swine flu fears hit pork industry

Posted on April 30, 2009, 9:09am

One of South Australia’s largest pig producers has moved to calm fears over the outbreak of swine flu, but has warned the full ramifications of the mutated strain is not yet known.

Myora Farm near Mount Gambier has been forced to beef up biosecurity protocols at its 500-pig a week operation, following swine flu sweeping several countries and suspected cases being reported in Australia.

As of yesterday morning, 14 people in South Australia were suspected of having the killer flu.

Under strict new protocols, all visitors are banned from entering the Casterton Road pig farm and workers with any sign of flu-like symptoms are prohibited from having contact with the animals.

Australian Pork Limited — the country’s peak industry body — yesterday moved to hose down hysteria over the disease by reassuring consumers pork was safe to eat, following fears the deadly flu could kill off the industry.

Myora Farm owner Jeff Braun said yesterday the swine flu was being spread through human-to-human contact, not through the pork consumption.

“We have introduced a short-term (biosecurity) strategy which has been implemented immediately until we find out more and understand the ramifications of the disease’s potential,” Mr Braun told The Border Watch.

He said swine influenza had not been detected in any pig herd in Australia and all imported pigmeat was cooked to prevent such diseases from entering the country.

“The World Health Organisation has reassured the Australian population that pig meat is completely safe for consumers,” said Mr Braun, who employed 30 staff at his piggery.

While claiming there was no risk to Australian consumers, he said health professionals across the world were working to investigate the possible full potential of the mutated influenza strain.

But Mr Braun said it was too early to speculate over the impact of the outbreak on the pig sector.

He said the new influenza strain was given the name because of its similarities to swine flu, but the outbreak had not be linked to pigs.

“At this stage it is a human disease,” Mr Braun said.

However, he encouraged people to be vigilant and aware of the swine flu to protect human lives.

Meanwhile, South Australian Pork Committee chair Butch Moses said it was unclear how the outbreak of the disease could impact on the Australian pork industry.

But he reiterated there was no risk to consumers buying pork products.

However, Mr Moses said the industry was concerned over how the outbreak — being reported in several countries — could impact on consumer demand.

Asked if it could affect Australian pork sales, he said: “It possibly could.”

Australian Pork Limited chief executive Andrew Spencer said biosecurity arrangements had been set in place at pig operations to protect pigs and pig handlers against all diseases.

“These measures are part of the normal day at the office for raising pigs in Australia,” Mr Spencer said.

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