Dear Editor,

Our nation’s leaders are seeking to move the country from pork barrel living to pork pot living.

Recently Agriculture Minister Floyd Green launched a national campaign to increase local pork consumption. The marketing initiative is dubbed ‘Pork Jamaica — The Tastier Protein Choice’ . The minister was also quick to point out that pork consumption in this country is low when compared to other nations, and rightly so.

But I am beginning to wonder why the consumption of this wonderful protein, as he claims, is on a downward spiral. However, with the increase in general knowledge and scientific research, modern Jamaicans have become aware of the spiritual and scientific ill effects of consuming this product

First and foremost, from a spiritual perspective, most Jamaicans base their religious beliefs on scripture, and there is biblical prohibition on eating pork. Rastafarianism, Judaism, Islam, orthodox churches, and Seventh-day Adventists have been harbingers of this message. The moral and ceremonial prohibitions of especially the Pentateuch, Leviticus chapter 11, and Deuteronomy chapter 14 should be very instructive to all who are seeking to satisfy principle over appetite.

I will not attempt to give an exhaustive bible study here, but it is worthy of note that to seek to promote a unhealthy lifestyle is a retrograde move. “Unclean” foods would not have been prohibited by God unless they were in some way fundamentally bad for our holistic health.

There are other healthy lifestyle proteins that the honourable minister, in consultation with the Ministry of Health, could have introduced and promoted. What about legumes, nuts, vegetables, etc? A Government should not be seeking to add stability to the agriculture sector while at the same time eroding the health of citizens. I guess, very soon, if the ‘Mule Raisers’ Association’ approaches him to give that association a shot in the arm, it very well might have his support to flood the market with Jamaican corned mule to curb food insecurities.

Scientifically, pork products are the main cause of trichinosis. Trichinosis is a food-borne disease caused by a microscopic parasite called Trichinella. This disease can at times develop into complications that can adversely affect the heart, brain, and lungs. Not properly diagnosed it can be fatal, and the cure and hospitalisation can burden an already overburdened health sector. Is that what the minister wants to happen to our nation’s health system, thus eating up taxpayers’ money which could otherwise have been directed to healthier ventures?

I have oft heard it said that pork, whether jerk, stew, or ital, is sweet, sweet, sweet. But maybe, just maybe, it’s time for informed people to weigh the value of that taste against tapeworm infestation; hepatitis E; high cholesterol; and heart, liver, and lung disease.

Surely the creator knows better than the creature, and to violate the laws of healthful living will be to our own detriment. So, Minister Green, I suggest you collaborate with Dr Christopher Tufton, minister of health, and your advisors to develop agricultural policies to promote something less deleterious to our people.

Burnett Robinson

blpprob@aol.com