Trichinosis Publicity “Out Of Proportion”

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30739, 1 May 1965, Page 3

Trichinosis Publicity “Out Of Proportion”

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 30.

The chairman of the Pig Producers’ Council (Mr R. T. Davis) today objected to the amount of publicity given to the discovery of trichinosis in the Auckland province. It was, he said, “completely out of proportion.”

“The facts are that for the second time in 35 years a case of trichinosis in a human has been diagnosed; the disease is long-standing elsewhere in the world,” he said. “When the present case was diagnosed, the Department of Agriculture commenced testing samples from pigs and even though many thousands have been tested, one, and only one, positive reaction was found.”

“The Department of Agriculture has, as a consequence of this one case, now withdrawn export certificates that have previously listed New Zealand as being free of this disease in order that importing countries will be made aware of the position.

“This is not a disease that is transmitted from human to human or pig to pig and any dangers to human health can be prevented by freezing to a low temperature or by thoroughly cooking the meat —and this is the general practice by housewives—it is also what is done overseas where countries live with the disease,” said Mr Davis. “Another case may not be found in New Zealand, but adequate precautions are being taken by the responsible authorities.

“The whole aim of the official inspection services is to detect and eradicate animal diseases in the interests of producers and consumers. “An emergency has arisen in the pig industry and the department is now taking appropriate steps to contain the problam and retain the confidence of importing countries. The Health Department will see that human health is not endangered. “The Pig Producers’ Council expects the Government to take prompt measures to see that the confidence of the producer, the trade, and the consumer is restored immediately to maintain the flow of an adequate supply of pig meats to the consumer.

“Recommendations to the Minister have been made by a trade - producer - department committee as to what should be done in the immediate future.

“Finally, it should be emphasised that there are simple precautions, for example thorough cooking, that can be taken from the health angle.

“The disease is known in other countries and should present virtually no problem to New Zealand,” he said.