Letter - Treat pork industry fairly

Talk about it

To the editor:

As a local owner of a swine genetics and health company in Alexandria, pork producer and subscriber to the Echo Press, I feel I need to express my disappointment in the follow-up coverage of the H1N1 influenza virus.

Our public health officials and experts in the field have done and continue to do an outstanding job of following this flu incidence. However, misinformation surrounding this issue is causing serious financial stress on pork producers right here in Douglas County and throughout Minnesota and North America.

In the May 8 issue of the Echo Press in an article titled, “Centers for Disease Control says eating pork is safe,” which reported facts clarifying there are no confirmed cases of this flu in swine and that pork is safe to eat did not appear until Page 3. Given the front page headlines the H1N1 virus received in the May 1 issue of the Echo Press, this follow-up article should have received the same treatment, given its information.

As a person who is deeply involved in the production of safe, healthy and quality pork products, it is imperative that the media helps to educate the public with sound and timely information. Our business turns over $50 million annually in the Alexandria community. We bank locally, utilize local supplies, employ more than 50 people, utilize local professionals and consultants, and invest in research locally with numerous industry partners.

The pork industry is simply asking to be treated fairly with the facts, so our businesses in West Central Minnesota have the opportunity to be sustainable. Please enjoy the summer and grill some delicious pork!

Jeff Zick, Genetiporc

Alexandria, MN

Tags: jeff zick, opinion, letters