More than one month after the initial outbreak of the swine flu was recorded, confirmed cases are topping more than 15,500, with 55 countries affected and over 110 fatalities and counting.

Venezuela, Paraguay, Estonia, and Hungary most recently confirmed that the illness has entered their countries.In light of this grievous trend, Avaaz, an international, online citizen’s advocacy group, delivered a petition with 225,000 signatures to the World Health Organization (WHO), calling for protection from the threat of a future pandemic that could likewise stem from a factory farm virus. Avaaz Campaign Director Ricken Patel stated, “There have been warnings for years that these dirty warehouses crammed with pigs are increasing the risk of development and transmission of disease epidemics.

The WHO and United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) must regulate food production to save the global population from future animal-borne lethal pandemics and ensure global health security.”

Such “dirty warehouse” conditions of one pig factory farm recently prompted Mike King, New Zealand comedian and former pork industry spokesperson, to completely change  his stance. Almost overnight, he stirred countless co-citizens as well as the New Zealand Minister of Agriculture to take a serious look the atrocious suffering of pigs raised for food.

Supreme Master Television spoke with Hans Kriek, Campaign Director for Save Animals From Exploitation (SAFE) in New Zealand about these recent events.

Supreme Master TV (M):Do you think that Mr. King will continue his mission to help factory farmed animals around New Zealand?

Hans Kriek – Campaign Director – SAFE, New Zealand (M): Oh yes, we absolutely know that he will help us because he’s completely dedicated to this cause now. He wants to see these practices banned and he’s going to be there right till the end.

Supreme Master TV (M): What has the response been that SAFE has seen from the people of New Zealand over the last couple of weeks?

Hans Kriek (M): It has been incredible! I’ve been working in this field for well over 20 years and I’ve never seen anything like it. I think the public is almost shocked by what they have seen and it’s been incredible. The interesting thing is that we’re seeing now is not that people are just saying like, “Oh this is bad.” People are actually doing something about it now. So we have seen hundreds of people writing letters tothe government, saying, “What are you going to do about this?” We have seen people making statements that their whole family will no long eat any pig products.

VOICE:When asked to share his thoughts about the link between factory farm products and human disease, Mr. Kriek points out that animal products are a source of life-threatening health conditions.

Hans Kriek (M): I think the eating of those products causes  the problem for sure. It is well know that a diet high in saturated fat is very harmful to our wellbeing, and where does saturated fat come from, by and large? It’s animal products! So clearly there is no doubt about it, that people who adopt a vegetarian diet will be a lot healthier for it.

VOICE: Our humble thanks, Mr. King,Campaign Director Kriek, Save Animals From Exploitation and Aavaz, for your efforts to bring forth a safer world for everyone.Our prayers go to the many victims of the swine flu, with our sincere condolences to the families of those who have succumbed to this illness.

Let us combine our efforts now for the awakening of society in choosing the healthy freedom of the vegan diet to benefit ourselves and those we love.

Online campaigners seize on swine flu in pig farm petition
 http://www.france24.com/en/20090527-online-campaigners-seize-swine-flu-pig-farm-petition