The Minister of Environment, Elena Espinosa, has criticised Russia’s decision to ban the import of Spanish pork, calling it unjustified.
The Russians banned the import of ‘live’ pigs, pork and pork derivatives, in the wake of the swine flu epidemic, or AH1N1 influenza as it has now become known.
The Minister stressed that it is perfectly safe to eat pork, reiterating similar statements made by the regional and central government and by the World Health Organisation.
The Minister also added that the change in name of the virus from swine flu to AH1N1 influenza is to avoid confusion for consumers and the public.
So, the virus is now variously known as AH1N1, swine flu and Mexican flu (Israel). That should certainly prevent any possible confusion.