FOOD CONSUMPTION AND SAFETY INCIDENTS IN ROMANIA

Abstract

The present paper proposes an analysis of the Avian and Swine Flu’s effects on meat consumption in Romania. The intense media coverage of the two epidemics, the considerable funds allocated to population vaccination and disease eradication, the duration of the outbreak make the two diseases comparable in point of duration and spreading. The research highlighted a major effect of the Avian Flu on poultry meat consumption on the Romanian market, although the shock was a temporary one, as poultry meat consumption came back to its initial values in a short period of time. The Swine Flu didn’t have a significant impact on the number of animals or on pork consumption. Both epidemics led to important financial losses. The sums allocated for disease eradication came from government contributions or from financial aids provided by the World Bank or the EU.