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KIRKSVILLE, MO -- The Missouri Chamber of Commerce brought business men and women to Kirksville from all over the state Thursday to learn about Missouri agriculture.

The class also met Friday morning to hear several ag-related speakers, including Tim Steinkamp.  He's a Cargill representative who spoke about concerns in the pork industry, and the markets.

“Last year we had record-high grain prices so farmers were not really able to capture what we then thought was a good grain market.  The ethanol industry has changed our economy, probably forever, and the industry is still adjusting to that.  The other thing that happened was H1N1 in April.  Immediately, some consumers, domestically and internationally, said, “We don't want any pork products until we figure out this H1N1 thing.” That hurt us for a little while,” said Steinkamp.

Reuters reported that the World Health Organization, WHO, called the H1N1 virus the “fastest-spreading pandemic ever” yesterday. 

The WHO said the pandemic is unstoppable, and some experts estimate that at least one million people in the United States are infected.

Steinkamp told KTVO that even though the H1N1 virus is called swine flu, consumers shouldn’t worry about getting the virus from eating pork. 

“Consumers need to know that pork is safe.  You never could get the H1N1 virus from eating pork.  It’s always been safe and they need to know that there is no fear in consuming pork,” he said.