27 April, 2009
Well, it didn’t take long.
We’ve had a few days of “possible pandemic“, Mexican swine flu coverage that includes claims it could already be in Britain. It’s the sort of thing that brings the hysterical worriers out of the woodwork.
Sure enough I had a couple of excited ramblers at the gate this morning.
I thought they were admiring our Berkshires, until one of them waved me over and commenced shouting about pigs, deadly diseases and mass death.
When I rolled my eyes, his excited companion told me “Your pigs are threat to the human race! They should be taken away. They have deadly diseases. Look what’s happening in Mexico!”
Ironically, they were facing a gate that has a very large sign on it that warns people to keep out as this is a pig disease control area.
In other words, we’re trying to protect our pigs from diseases spread by human.
Anyway, after a few minutes of rambling, ranting, frothing hysteria, I told the couple: “Look, you’re breathing in the very same air my pigs have just breathed out. Do you think that’s sensible given that swine flue is airborne?”
And then I smiled sweetly. Well, as sweetly as a gap-toothed, hairy, bearded, minging vector of swine diseases can smile.
They blanched and marched off up the road, fast.
Sigh. I can look forward to more of this until something else pushes swine flu from the headlines.
No! Nonononono!
You should put on your very serious face and explain that these are BRITISH pigs, a rare breed, and as such, immune to pathetic little Mexican pig diseases. Hence everyone should buy their pigs from you, just to be safe.
On the positive side, I just had two farmers stop and quickly take me up on my offer of a guided tour. They used to keep pigs and liked ours, although they said they definitely preferred tractors to manual labour.
I’ve seen absolutely no hint that the disease has come from Mexican pigs anyway….these misnomers never help farmers..
I was just saying this morning that you would be getting the flack pretty soon.
I should also expect your NFH will be slinging accusations very soon too!
Honestly, if you’re *that* scared of getting swine flu from pigs, why go anywhere near them? Good come back
Incidentally, I spoke to my local Animal Health officer this morning about a forthcoming visit and mentioned Swine Flu. She said that as far as she’s concerned, everyone should stop calling it swine flu as the only victims of the current outbreak are people.
Which comforted my pigs, until I pointed out that they should think long and hard about who gets out of bed every morning to feed them…
With Aberdeen and Moray Shires at their disposal, what are they doing rambling in Insch?
Quite a few ramblers come out of the village via Dunnydeer, going up one side and down the other, then pass our croft on their way to either Gartly Moor or Wardhouse. The latter takes them past the Stonehead Circle. We also get quite a few cycling groups as well.
PS Does anyone want some feral children? It’s only taken them 45 minutes to get changed out of their school uniform today, including tussles and time outs.
I am wondering whether we shouldn’t offer up thanks that these ramblers actually recognised pigs when they saw them, given some of the daft ideas that some people seem to have about the species and where their food comes from.
I’d cuddle the two in the picture over an ignorant rambler any day.
PS Does anyone want some feral children?
Not for a few months…need to get my strength back after the last time!!!!!!!!!
Still Wee ‘Un is good for getting freebies at the shops..they think him cute!
Oh well nothing for it then you need to give me your pigs, dead preferably, in the form of sausages
Isn’t that ridiculous? I had to ban my husband and my kids from the barn while they had colds so the pigs didn’t catch it. Then later on I was banned due to a cold. A news anchor this morning asked a Doctor if you could catch the flu from eating pork. Unbelievable…
It’s not just daft news anchors who think you can catch the flu from eating pork. According to the CBC “Several countries, including China, Russia and Ukraine, have also banned imports of pork and pork products from Mexico. Azerbaijan banned all livestock products from North America while Indonesia and Lebanon announced they will ban most imported pork products.” http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/04/27/swine-flu042709.html.
You would think that government officials in countries as advanced as China and Russia would have more sense. Up to today I felt that governments and people were being measured and reasonable in their actions, but it seems the irrational reactions are now beginning in earnest.
I hope you don’t get any crazies visiting you.
Azerbaijan, Indonesia and Lebanon banning port products makes me laugh… all 3 countries have Islam as the predominant religion, not exactly big pork consumers to start with. Its all about getting their 2 cents in the press.
That should read pork not port! Come to think of it port is probably not a big import item in those countries either… ;o)
The two case in Ayr, Scotland have been confirmed positve. They had just flown back from Mexico.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8021629.stm
This whole thing just points up how badly science and disease transmission is understood by the public.
Silly news anchors aren’t helping, either. Sigh.
Swine flu? I’m doomed.
No problem, I’ve got just what you need here. It’s a tube of oinkment labelled “Tusk the thing for Old Boars”…
Aww Noddy no you not doomed… your porked!
No thanks to the free offer of 2 feral children, even if one is good for freebies
)