Scientists Say a Quarter of Pigs Around the World Could Die of Swine Fever
Source: Time
(SYDNEY) Around a quarter of the worlds pigs are expected to die from African swine fever as authorities grapple with a complex disease spreading rapidly in the globalization era, the World Organization for Animal Healths president said Thursday.
A sharp reduction in the worlds pig population would lead to possible food shortages and high pork prices, and it might also cause shortfalls in the many products made from pigs, such as the blood-thinner heparin thats used in people, said Dr. Mark Schipp, the organizations president.
The diseases spread in the past year to countries including China, which has half the worlds pigs, had inflamed a worldwide crisis, Schipp told reporters at a briefing in Sydney.
I dont think the species will be lost, but its the biggest threat to the commercial raising of pigs weve ever seen, he said. And its the biggest threat to any commercial livestock of our genera
Read more: https://time.com/5714688/swine-fever-global-pig-population/
dchill
(38,324 posts)packman
(16,296 posts)Or ribs, or pork loin, or the ham-bone soup, or pork belly or hock flavoring with greens , or footballs. or sausage casings ---- God, I could go on like Bubba did with the shrimp.
My family , in the olden days, used to make the best pig's feet in their gelatin but now when I mention it to my wife, she thinks I'm nutty.
Eugene
(61,595 posts)packman
(16,296 posts)Every part of a pig is used except the squeals.
paleotn
(17,781 posts)When I was just out of college, at my first job, one of the older factory guys nearing retirement was fond of pig ear sandwiches and would bring them for lunch on occasion. Still makes me a bit squeamish.
spike jones
(1,656 posts)Coventina
(26,874 posts)I don't know what's required to make heparin, but if it's an abusive practice such as how premarin is made, I disapprove of that as well.
40RatRod
(531 posts)Rural_Progressive
(1,105 posts)It's an interesting story, basically they decided to hang with humans so they could get forage through human refuse piles. Pretty much the deal became they got easy food and humans got to eat them.
Are you familiar with how many piglets a sow births in a litter and how often a sow has litters? One of the more destructive forces in a number of states are feral pigs. Their numbers have to be controlled, what do you think should be done with the carcasses?
I guess my point is, of all the animals humans use as food pigs are probably the best choice so why don't you think they should be used as food?
Coventina
(26,874 posts)If humans were responsible, this wouldn't be happening.
Pragmatically, yes, it is probable that many feral pigs must be killed, but that is not an excuse to eat them.
I don't condone the eating of any animals by humans, I'm not putting pigs into a special category.
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)As if we needed more reasons.
softydog88
(126 posts)Igel
(35,197 posts)Or halal.
Python boot
(74 posts)Congress removed the country of origin label (COOL) requirement for meats in the grocery store. Not cool! Smithfield Farms is now partially owned by China. Swine fever is rampant now in China.
crazytown
(7,277 posts)When? With what possible justification? Geez.
efhmc
(14,709 posts)HEB for me.
efhmc
(14,709 posts)"In China, previously they had a lot of backyard piggeries. Theyre seeing this as an opportunity to take a big step forward and move to large scale commercial piggeries."
Igel
(35,197 posts)for more centralization and control.
efhmc
(14,709 posts)milestogo
(16,829 posts)cstanleytech
(26,082 posts)roamer65
(36,739 posts)Last edited Thu Oct 31, 2019, 02:51 PM - Edit history (3)
I wonder if this one will as well.
They say in the article it wont, but Id prefer to talk to an epidemiologist on that fact.
Eating pork contaminated by the virus turns a human into a recombinant DNA test tube. Will this virus be able to make the hop?