Ukraine is the latest country to remove a ban on U.S. pork and pork products prompted by the H1N1 flu outbreak. Ukraine, which lifted its ban effective June 15, was the third largest export market behind Russia and China with a ban, with 2008 exports valued at more than $28 million. At the height of the H1N1 outbreak, at least 27 countries were banning U.S. pork and pork products. Today, there are 10 countries banning U.S. pork, with several counties, including Russia, only banning it from specific states. NPPC has been working with the Obama administration to convince U.S. trading partners to remove their bans on U.S. pork and pork products.
Studies, including one from USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, have proved that the H1N1 virus is not transmissible in pork meat from infected pigs. The information has been shared with U.S. trading partners.