Veterinarians assured Greeks yesterday that it is safe to eat pork, as the government said it was “inexcusable” for people to avoid the meat after the World Health Organization advised that pork from countries experiencing swine flu outbreaks should not be consumed.“
The new, Type A flu has not been found in pigs in Greece or Europe,” said Greece’s Veterinary School, responsible for health standards among breeders.
“In our country and internationally all animals are checked for diseases.” Since the outbreak of the deadly virus, there has been a slight drop in pork consumption, according to the head of the association of Thessaly pig farmers, Giorgos Arkoudas.
“It is inexcusable for Greeks not to eat pork,” said Agricultural Development Minister Sotiris Hatzigakis. “The pork consumed in Greece is either local or European and no outbreaks of swine flu have been recorded.”