The 2001 World Pork Expo has been cancelled due to outbreaks of “foot and mouth” disease elsewhere in the world. The event is sponsored by the National Pork Producers Council. N-P-P-C President Barb Determan, a pork producer from Early, Iowa, says it’s unfortunate, but necessary, to call it off. The Expo would have held its 14th annual event in Des Moines. In past years, it’s attracted 40-thousand pork producers and consumers, including about two thousand visitors from 60 countries. Determan says “we don’t want to take any risk of a possible outbreak potentially spread through hosting the Pork Expo.” Determan says exhibitors will be able to get refunds if they’ve already reserved places at the Expo. She says the cancellation of the Expo is in no way a reflection of a lack of confidence in the way the federal government is handling the borders. The U-S has been free of foot and mouth disease since 1929.
Iowa's Radio News Network
