The news about Egypt's slaughtering of the whole pig population as a preventive measure against swine flu came out a few days ago. About 300,000 pigs will be slaughtered in the next weeks even though, according to the World Health Organisation, there is no evidence pigs can transmit swine flu to humans. Some argue that Cairo's decision is not linked to health-related measures, but rather to religion.

The production and trade of pigs in Egypt is virtually exclusive of the Copts, since the Muslim majority does not consume pork. The Coptic community makes between 6% and 9% of the total population of the country. After the government announcement, some Copts have expressed their anger at the decision by refusing to give in the animals. As a result, protests broke out in Cairo and other Egyptian cities on Sunday, which were put down by the police.

Against the lack of ground to implement the measure -it has not been recommended by any international authority, and no cases of swine flu have been reported in the country-, the government is calling the cull a "general health" measure. Most of the pig farms are located in the most deprived districts where rubbish dumps are common. The authorities say that after the nationwide cull pigs will have to be raised far from urban areas.

The Coptic community, the largest Christian sect in the Arab world, has from 5 to 7 million followers in Egypt, a country with about 79 million inhabitants. The Copts are often victims of violent attacks by Muslim radical groups, such as the aggression occurred last June, which left 4 Coptic jewelers dead.

Further information:

• AFP: Egypt pig farmers clash with police over slaughter
• BBC: Clashes erupt over Egypt pig cull