The nation's pork industry is suffering due to the phrase "Swine flu" to describe H1N1 virus and Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack called on the media to stop using this phrase as it clearly misleads and confuses the public that pork is unsafe.

Amy Wilkerson of the Iowa Pork Producers Association said, "It just creates such emotion and such fear, the unwarranted fear is being spread by the media's use of the phrase "Swine Flu".

The swine flu has come at a time that has harmed the pork industry the most. Pork producers are suffering losses up to $50 for every hog they send to the market. It has clearly stemmed from the use of the word "Swine Flu" while talking about the H1N1 virus.

John Mabry, the director of Iowa State University's Pork Industry Center said that it was very frustrating for the pork producers to the extent that many of them are contemplating their future in this business.

Countries including China and Russia banned the import of pork from the U. S. After the virus began making headlines early this year. Russia lifted most of the restrictions in July this year, it is also the fourth-largest importer of pork from the U. S.

Paul Beere, a market adviser at Prime Agricultural Consultants Inc. in Brookfield, Wis said that media has done quiet a bit of damage to the pork industry and it will continue to suffer losses during the coming fall and winter months.