Swine Flu Outbreak Linked to Factory Farming

Interview with Nicolette Hahn Niman, cattle rancher and environmentalist, conducted by Scott Harris

As the United States and other nations around the world brace for what many scientists say could be a severe outbreak of the swine flu, or H1N1 influenza strain this fall and winter, the more than 2,200 students at Washington State University who contracted swine flu the first week of September may be an early indicator of what's likely to come. Delays in the production of H1N1 vaccine could complicate the U.S. Center for Disease Control's notice advising pregnant women, children and other high-risk patients to be vaccinated. Federal officials reported on Sept. 4 that at least 36 children have died in the U.S. as result of the current swine flu pandemic.

There is speculation that the origin of the disease may be connected to Carroll Farms, a huge factory hog farm located in Perote, in Veracruz state, Mexico, co-owned by the U.S.-based corporation Smithfield Foods. In early March, local Mexican health officials issued a health alert, claiming that 60 percent of the residents of Perote suffered from flu, pneumonia and bronchitis, symptoms later associated with the current swine flu outbreak. The Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production cites the potential public health effects of concentrated animal feeding operations as including "disease and the transmission of disease, the potential for the spread of pathogens from animals to humans."

Nicolette Hahn Niman is a cattle rancher, attorney and environmentalist. Her husband, Bill Niman, founded the Niman ranch, a natural meat company based in northern California. Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Nicolette Niman about the origin of swine flu and the danger she sees posed to public health by factory farming.

Visit Nicolette Hahn Niman's website at www.righteousporkchop.com

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"Between The Lines" is a half-hour syndicated radio news magazine that each week features a summary of under-reported news stories and interviews with activists and journalists who offer progressive perspectives on international, national and regional political, economic and social issues. Because "Between The Lines" is independent of all publications, media networks or political parties, we are able to bring a diversity of voices to the airwaves generally ignored or marginalized by the major media. For more information on this week's topics and to check out our text archive listing topics and guests presented in previous programs visit: www.btlonline.org
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