Most Australians intend to continue buying and eating pork despite global concerns about the spread of swine flu, according to a survey commissioned by the pork industry.

The national survey of 500 people carried out by Quantum and commissioned by Australian Pork showed that A/H1N1 variant influenza virus, or swine flu, would not change consumers’ intentions to buy pork in 83 per cent of households with three per cent more likely to buy pork and six per cent much less likely to do so.

Eighty six per cent of respondents disagreed or were neutral to the proposition that they might eat less pork because of the flu variant outbreak.

Australian Pork chief executive officer Andrew Spencer said most Australians were taking sensible and informed decisions about eating pork and processed pork products.

He said some retailers reported a slight decline in sales though butchers’ sales remained largely unaffected.

“Any dip in demand has likely been driven by the incorrect association between influenza A/H1N1 and consuming pork, depite the fact that ther is absolutely no connection, Spencer said.

“Consumers are safe. The scientific evidence is that there is not link between eating pork and contracting the flu.”