S. Korea to increase inspection of Canadian pork amid swine flu outbreak

SEOUL, April 26 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government said Sunday it decided to
step up safety inspections of pork imported from Canada, following similar moves
on products shipped from the U.S. and Mexico following outbreaks of swine
influenza (SI) in the two countries.

Agriculture Minister Chang Tae-pyong held an emergency meeting with
health-related officials earlier in the day and decided to strengthen safety
screening of Canadian pork imports, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
said.
Since Saturday, the government has tightened quarantine measures for pork from
the United States and Mexico after reported outbreaks of SI in the two countries.
Some 80 people in Mexico are believed to have been killed from the flu, according
to news reports.
Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza that
regularly causes outbreaks of influenza among pigs and is transmittable to
humans.
"The measure is aimed at assuring consumers," a ministry officials said,
explaining that the measure was sought as part of precautionary measures against
all pork imports from North America.
Health authorities said they also plan to implement precautionary measures for
domestic pork, as people that have traveled to the region could possibly carry
the virus home and infect livestock here.
The ministry plans to hold another round of meetings with health experts on
Monday to come up with stronger preventive measures against a possible SI
outbreak in the country.
odissy@yna.co.kr
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