Comments on: So someone’s telling porkies … http://www.beijingnewspeak.com/2007/05/24/so-someones-telling-porkies/ Sat, 06 Sep 2008 20:15:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: bigalbert http://www.beijingnewspeak.com/2007/05/24/so-someones-telling-porkies/#comment-2929 bigalbert Fri, 13 Jul 2007 13:58:47 +0000 http://www.beijingnewspeak.com/2007/05/24/so-someones-telling-porkies/#comment-2929 Just bumping an old article that seems to have come to fruition as yesterday rumors were circulating that China has come to the US with a 20000-40000 ton order of pork. Pork futures responded by trading up at near limit moves of 3$. Just bumping an old article that seems to have come to fruition as yesterday rumors were circulating that China has come to the US with a 20000-40000 ton order of pork. Pork futures responded by trading up at near limit moves of 3$.

]]> By: Eyes East » Blog Archive » A wonderful, magical (diseased) animal http://www.beijingnewspeak.com/2007/05/24/so-someones-telling-porkies/#comment-1797 Eyes East » Blog Archive » A wonderful, magical (diseased) animal Tue, 29 May 2007 15:28:07 +0000 http://www.beijingnewspeak.com/2007/05/24/so-someones-telling-porkies/#comment-1797 [...] When pigs are dying in droves down south and China’s top health inspector is on death row, maybe it’s time to cut back on the swine. And Xinhua doesn’t seem to want to talk about it. [...] [...] When pigs are dying in droves down south and China’s top health inspector is on death row, maybe it’s time to cut back on the swine. And Xinhua doesn’t seem to want to talk about it. [...]

]]> By: China Briefing Blog http://www.beijingnewspeak.com/2007/05/24/so-someones-telling-porkies/#comment-1783 China Briefing Blog Tue, 29 May 2007 08:15:21 +0000 http://www.beijingnewspeak.com/2007/05/24/so-someones-telling-porkies/#comment-1783 <strong>Pork, politics and China...</strong> Pork has an illustrious history in government and politics.  Long associated with wasteful, politically aimed spending - pork barrel politics - pigs have made their home in the slop of governmental politics. In China, local spending on pet projects.... Pork, politics and China…

Pork has an illustrious history in government and politics.  Long associated with wasteful, politically aimed spending - pork barrel politics - pigs have made their home in the slop of governmental politics. In China, local spending on pet projects….

]]> By: Karol Sparling http://www.beijingnewspeak.com/2007/05/24/so-someones-telling-porkies/#comment-1766 Karol Sparling Mon, 28 May 2007 22:04:22 +0000 http://www.beijingnewspeak.com/2007/05/24/so-someones-telling-porkies/#comment-1766 I believe this one applies "Unless each man prodiuses more than he receives, increases his output, there will be less for him than all the others", doesn't it? I believe this one applies “Unless each man prodiuses more than he receives, increases his output, there will be less for him than all the others”, doesn’t it?

]]> By: Chris O'Brien http://www.beijingnewspeak.com/2007/05/24/so-someones-telling-porkies/#comment-1739 Chris O'Brien Sun, 27 May 2007 06:21:04 +0000 http://www.beijingnewspeak.com/2007/05/24/so-someones-telling-porkies/#comment-1739 nanheyangrouchuan: "There is nothing good, clean, useful or of any decent quality that comes from China. Would you eat or use anything grown or produced in a dirty junkyard?" I'd be struggling if I didn't - and to be honest I never think about it. As for pork exports, Erik (see above) knows more than me: "For readers outside of China, don’t worry too much about eating tainted pork. Pork exports are very very small (a couple hundred-thousand tons / yr) given the scale of China’s pork industry, and a lot of this is sent to Russia and Vietnam." gsgs: Cheers for the link Mike: Welcome back you little scallywag nanheyangrouchuan: “There is nothing good, clean, useful or of any decent quality that comes from China. Would you eat or use anything grown or produced in a dirty junkyard?”

I’d be struggling if I didn’t - and to be honest I never think about it. As for pork exports, Erik (see above) knows more than me:

“For readers outside of China, don’t worry too much about eating tainted pork. Pork exports are very very small (a couple hundred-thousand tons / yr) given the scale of China’s pork industry, and a lot of this is sent to Russia and Vietnam.”

gsgs: Cheers for the link

Mike: Welcome back you little scallywag

]]> By: Chris O'Brien http://www.beijingnewspeak.com/2007/05/24/so-someones-telling-porkies/#comment-1738 Chris O'Brien Sun, 27 May 2007 06:07:54 +0000 http://www.beijingnewspeak.com/2007/05/24/so-someones-telling-porkies/#comment-1738 Du Yisa: Interesting comments as always although the generalisation about the Chinese people is unfair. On a general note, a major difference between the development of Japan, US etc and China is that it occurred with the assistance of a free press. Only when the Chinese government realises the true benefit of freer media reporting on food scares, will it be able to implement effective supervision over food safety. Internal instructions on the issue just seem to be ignored by local governments. And of course public awareness will follow. But then I suppose this idea can be applied to most things in China.. Du Yisa: Interesting comments as always although the generalisation about the Chinese people is unfair.

On a general note, a major difference between the development of Japan, US etc and China is that it occurred with the assistance of a free press. Only when the Chinese government realises the true benefit of freer media reporting on food scares, will it be able to implement effective supervision over food safety. Internal instructions on the issue just seem to be ignored by local governments. And of course public awareness will follow. But then I suppose this idea can be applied to most things in China..

]]> By: Chris O'Brien http://www.beijingnewspeak.com/2007/05/24/so-someones-telling-porkies/#comment-1737 Chris O'Brien Sun, 27 May 2007 05:45:32 +0000 http://www.beijingnewspeak.com/2007/05/24/so-someones-telling-porkies/#comment-1737 Goose: It is a fascinating concept. What amazes me is the utter faith in the power of the Chinese government to prevent a major blip before the Olympics - despite nervous sounding warnings from the central government about the risks of stock market investment (which will entitle the government to say "Well we did warn you!"). I'm going to look into opening an account on Monday, not really to make money but because I feel a bit left out. Goose: It is a fascinating concept. What amazes me is the utter faith in the power of the Chinese government to prevent a major blip before the Olympics - despite nervous sounding warnings from the central government about the risks of stock market investment (which will entitle the government to say “Well we did warn you!”). I’m going to look into opening an account on Monday, not really to make money but because I feel a bit left out.

]]> By: Chris O'Brien http://www.beijingnewspeak.com/2007/05/24/so-someones-telling-porkies/#comment-1735 Chris O'Brien Sun, 27 May 2007 05:16:47 +0000 http://www.beijingnewspeak.com/2007/05/24/so-someones-telling-porkies/#comment-1735 Erik: Thank you for the insight - much appreciated (and long comments always welcome). By the way, the link for the strategic pork reserves is here: http://english.people.com.cn/200705/26/eng20070526_378228.html As Du Yisa pointed out, I'm not saying the Chinese government is covering anything up. The problem lies in the failure of some elements of the state media to report the issue. As I said, silence sparks unnecessary conspiracy theories. Unfortunately, when Xinhua did finally contact MOA to confirm the number of pig deaths, the MOA refused to comment. As for the China Daily story, I am fully aware the rise in the price of livestock feed has been a factor - and it would help if the general media explained the situation as you just did. But to ignore the impact of blue-ear pig disease is unacceptable, particularly when the NDRC has made the direct link. The price of live pigs went up more than 70 percent in April - directly after the blue ear epidemic was reported. And, if the livestock feed is the main factor, why has it not affected the price of other meat to the same degree as pork? Erik: Thank you for the insight - much appreciated (and long comments always welcome). By the way, the link for the strategic pork reserves is here:

http://english.people.com.cn/200705/26/eng20070526_378228.html

As Du Yisa pointed out, I’m not saying the Chinese government is covering anything up. The problem lies in the failure of some elements of the state media to report the issue. As I said, silence sparks unnecessary conspiracy theories. Unfortunately, when Xinhua did finally contact MOA to confirm the number of pig deaths, the MOA refused to comment.

As for the China Daily story, I am fully aware the rise in the price of livestock feed has been a factor - and it would help if the general media explained the situation as you just did. But to ignore the impact of blue-ear pig disease is unacceptable, particularly when the NDRC has made the direct link. The price of live pigs went up more than 70 percent in April - directly after the blue ear epidemic was reported. And, if the livestock feed is the main factor, why has it not affected the price of other meat to the same degree as pork?

]]> By: nanheyangrouchuan http://www.beijingnewspeak.com/2007/05/24/so-someones-telling-porkies/#comment-1731 nanheyangrouchuan Sun, 27 May 2007 02:05:44 +0000 http://www.beijingnewspeak.com/2007/05/24/so-someones-telling-porkies/#comment-1731 There should be cause for concern in the west with respect to contaminated pork. Processed food materials as well as seafood and veggies have been imported from China into the US and possibly Europe. Why would such wealthy regions/nations import food from China? Under political pressure to help keep China's agricultural industry afloat and promote internal stability among China's rural population. Amcham, Ozcham and EUcham would be at the forefront of promoting this arrangement to appease their masters in Beijing and in the corporate boardrooms. So it is plausible and likely that China's diseased pork is in the West with the full knowledge of the import/export industry, foreign chambers of commerce and grocery store chains. Chinese pork must be rooted out and destroyed, and all imports from China must be blocked. There is nothing good, clean, useful or of any decent quality that comes from China. Would you eat or use anything grown or produced in a dirty junkyard? I wouldn't. There should be cause for concern in the west with respect to contaminated pork. Processed food materials as well as seafood and veggies have been imported from China into the US and possibly Europe. Why would such wealthy regions/nations import food from China? Under political pressure to help keep China’s agricultural industry afloat and promote internal stability among China’s rural population. Amcham, Ozcham and EUcham would be at the forefront of promoting this arrangement to appease their masters in Beijing and in the corporate boardrooms. So it is plausible and likely that China’s diseased pork is in the West with the full knowledge of the import/export industry, foreign chambers of commerce and grocery store chains. Chinese pork must be rooted out and destroyed, and all imports from China must be blocked. There is nothing good, clean, useful or of any decent quality that comes from China. Would you eat or use anything grown or produced in a dirty junkyard? I wouldn’t.

]]> By: Du Yisa http://www.beijingnewspeak.com/2007/05/24/so-someones-telling-porkies/#comment-1708 Du Yisa Sat, 26 May 2007 07:53:33 +0000 http://www.beijingnewspeak.com/2007/05/24/so-someones-telling-porkies/#comment-1708 Of course you did. Of course you did.

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