While consumers who are concerned over pork's safety may
temporarily increase their beef consumption, it is more probable
that all meats, including beef, will be adversely affected by
the H1N1 virus. That's according to Dr. Derrell Peel, extension
livestock marketing specialist at Oklahoma State University.
Peele says the situation could further delay economic recovery
in the U.S. and worldwide, making it more difficult for some
countries to import beef, pork and other protein. This could be
especially true in Mexico, which is a critically important
market for U.S. beef and pork. Peel speculates some countries
could use the situation to ban imports of beef and pork, as
China and Russia already have. At this point, Peel said there is
no real way to anticipate how bad the flu situation will get,
and the economic impact is as uncertain for beef as for pork. He
says that the situation highlights a never-ending need to
educate consumers and make sure that policymakers use science
rather than emotion in making poli