Meat + Poultry - June 2009 - 18

INTERNATIONAL
Genetic makeup of H1N1 in swine decoded by CFIA
Canadian Food Inspection Agency scientists at the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease reported they have
mapped the genetic sequence of the virus found in swine
from Alberta, which will help scientists around the world
understand the virus and its affects on animals. The safety
of properly handled and cooked pork is not affected by
inﬂuenza viruses, according to researchers.
CFIA scientists, in collaboration with colleagues at
Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory, said they
now have a complete picture of the virus detected in
swine on an Alberta farm. This validates early test results and conﬁrms that the virus found in the pigs is the
same as the virus causing illness in humans around the
world, they added.
The CFIA will share the diagnostic methods developed

to identify the novel H1N1 inﬂuenza in swine with provinces and territories, international agencies and other countries to facilitate surveillance and detection activities.
Researchers are now focusing on how the H1N1 ﬂu
virus affects swine. Although more studies are needed,
early observations suggest that infected animals become
sick and recover naturally, just as they would if exposed
to inﬂuenza viruses commonly seen in swine herds at
a global level.
CFIA research continues to examine whether or not
other animals are susceptible to the virus. This information could be used to reﬁne disease prevention and control measures. Studies are also being conducted to assess
the effectiveness of current vaccines, and to develop better
and faster diagnostic methods, the researchers added.

U.S. pork, beef exports for March remain solid
U.S. pork and beef exports achieved
a solid performance in March. Strong
pork sales to Mexico and a surge in
beef exports to Vietnam, Japan and the
Middle East led the pace, according to
the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
Pork plus pork variety meat exports
increased 16 percent in volume and
17 percent in value over March 2008.
Pork exports increased by 8 percent
in volume to 489,348 metric tons (1.08
billion lbs.) and by 10 percent in value
to $1.12 billion compared to the ﬁ rst
quarter of 2008. More than 23 percent
of ﬁ rst quarter pork and variety meat
production was exported.
March beef plus beef variety meat
exports increased 5 percent in volume over March 2008, but declined
by about 1 percent in value. This was
due primarily to a 17 percent decline
in variety meat export value, offsetting
a 4 percent increase in muscle-cut value. Beef exports increased in the ﬁrst
quarter 3 percent in volume to 203,475
metric tons (448.6 million lbs.) and by
1 percent in value to $690.9 million.
Exports accounted for 9.5 percent of
beef and variety meat production in
the ﬁrst quarter.
In March, total U.S. pork exports
to Mexico (45,741 metric tons or 100.8
18

MEAT&POULTRY

June 2009

million lbs.) nearly doubled in volume from a year ago and increased
76 percent in value to $65.2 million.
For the ﬁ rst quarter of 2009, exports
to Mexico increased 74 percent in vol-

Photo courtesy of USMEF

ume (136,898 metric tons or 301.8 million lbs.) and by 66 percent in value
to $204.7 million.
Japan continues to be the mainstay
value market for U.S. pork, with ﬁrst
quarter exports rising 13 percent in
volume to 119,445 metric tons (263.3
million lbs.) and by 26 percent in val-

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ue to $424 million. March results reﬂected a slowdown, however, as pork
exports rose just 1 percent in value
over a year ago while slipping by 3.5
percent in volume.
USMEF ofﬁcials say reduced ﬁ rstquarter beef exports to both Mexico
(down 21 percent in volume and value) and Canada (down 13 percent in
volume and 20 percent in value) have
placed increased pressure on other
international markets in maintaining
growth for U.S. beef. Some have responded remarkably well, however,
including the ASEAN region, Japan
and the Middle East.
Beef exports to the ASEAN region
increased 68 percent in volume in the
ﬁrst quarter to 19,645 metric tons (43.3
million lbs.) and doubled in value to
$64 million. Vietnam led this charge, recording a 93 percent increase in volume
and a jump in value of 146 percent.
March beef exports to Japan climbed
58 percent in volume and 53 percent
in value over last year, leading to increases for the ﬁrst quarter of 32 percent and 29 percent, respectively. The
additional surge in March was due in
part to the availability of more cattle
eligible for export to this market under
the 20-month age restriction

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Meat + Poultry - June 2009

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