Source:  Ann Bagel Storck, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 8/28/09

Amid dire projections about the potential dangers of H1N1 this fall, the Pork Checkoff announced it is taking a proactive stance to prepare for the possibility of the virus entering the U.S. swine herd and impacting consumers' pork consumption.

The Pork Checkoff's plans include:

• Making sure that retailers and consumers continue to understand that pork is safe.
• Working with USDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention so producers understand what to do if an H1N1 outbreak occurs.
• Scheduling webinars with packers, retailers, foodservice operators, ag media and dieticians. The webinars will be recorded so producers can access them at a later date.
• Offering third party-spokesperson training in September in Des Moines, Iowa.
• Scheduling "desk side visits" with national media for the week of Sept. 21.

Scientific advisers to the White House earlier this week warned that H1N1 may infect as much as half the population and kill 30,000 to 90,000 people this flu season — double the deaths caused by the typical seasonal flu.

The Pork Checkoff is not alone in trying to mitigate H1N1's potential impact on the meat industry. Earlier this month U.S., Canadian and Mexican representatives to the 2009 Tri-National Agricultural Accord issued a statement regarding their intent to push media to avoid linking H1N1 to the pork industry. 

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