Richard, with all due respect, read these stories slowly and skeptically. It's no wonder that Arianna Huffington posted this story! It gives the impression that America sucks! Typical Huff-and-puff! The site she linked, with a story written by Michael Philpott, advocates organic farming. His article is suggestive and provocative-- but not actually news, just speculation. "Could Smithfield be responsible for this" he asks, but never provides any answer. Only accusation and speculation. "They have operations in Iowa too" he warns, and that they smell bad, and could cause respiratory illnesses. Still citing nothing newsworthy except but his own opinions.
For what it's worth, the Mexican spokesman for the US company claimed that they vaccinated all of their animals and that they continue to test negative. If that's not a true statement then the company is liable. But the news story blends together quotes from other other pig farmers, plus the American subsidized company, blending them together as if the American company was speaking on behalf of the entire industry.
One of the other links somewhere above claimed that a woman lost her husband because their next-door neighbor keeps pigs. Is that scientific proof that her neighbor was actually the one who infected the entire world? It is crazy to accuse anyone of "causing" anything at this point. Crazier still to turn a tragic news story inwards as another reason to bash America.
In my opinion.
