Pork and China's Growing Demand for Protein

China has a growing demand for protein. How will China meet this growing demand? The National Pork Board in the United States has provided some input on this challenge and further information is detailed in the link below. We encourage you to read the linked news release and utilize the discussion points below to guide conversations around the globe.

National Pork Board Study Defines China's Growing Need for Protein

Discussion Points

• Why is China's need for protein on the rise? 
• Why is there a great potential for the United States and China to look at trade in the pork sector at the current time?
• It would be nice if the United States could simply send pork to China as demand increases, but there are often other factors that influence this ease. What other factors may be challenging at the current time? How do those involved overcome these factors?
• The following quote is shared in the release by David Newman, "One of the ways to build value is to expand U.S. pork exports in developed and emerging markets." Where do you see potential for U.S. pork exports to expand and why?

African Swine Flu Takes Flight

Often times individuals become frustrated with long lines at customs as they fly into another country or return home. However, this weeks featured article shows the importance of the work these custom agents have. We are featuring an article that explains how African Swine Flu became mobile via a flight to Japan. We encourage you to read the linked article and utilize the discussion points provided to have conversations with others around the globe!

African Swine Fever Detected in Luggage at Airport

Discussion Points

• Why is African Swine Fever such a concern to producers around the world?
• Is there extreme concern with this sausage causing the spread of African Swine Fever? Explain.
• Put yourself in the position where you are in charge of customs at an airport. What would be your top priorities/practices to protect agriculture in your home country? Think about both animal and plants.

China Battling African Swine Fever

As the school year returns for many so does our weekly blogs challenging students and community members around the world to discuss global topics in agriculture. We kick things off with this article that shares the impact of African Swine Fever on hogs in China. We encourage you to read the linked article and utilize the discussion points below to guide conversations in your classrooms. 

Heavily Pork-Reliant China Battling African Swine Fever 

Discussion Points

• What impact is African Swine Fever having on pork production in China?
• Why is this outbreak of African Swine Fever such a concern in China? 
• Notice the picture that accompanies this article. what do you notice about production practices from the picture? What are the similarities/differences between production practices in China and your home country? 
• What are other countries doing to protect against the spread of African Swine Fever? 
• Imagine you work for your home country's department/ministry of agriculture. What practices/procedures would you put in place to protect the pork industry in your home country? Explain your reasoning.