African swine fever (ASF), a highly contagious and deadly disease for pigs, is casting a long shadow over Europe’s pork industry. While it poses no risk to humans, new cases have been discovered in northwestern Italy and in wild boar near Frankfurt, just a hundred miles from the French border. With the 2024 Olympics just around the corner, French authorities are understandably worried. A major outbreak could disrupt food supplies, impact tourism, and cast a pall over the event.
The Department of Agriculture in Paris is taking decisive action. They’ve intensified warnings to visitors and foreign workers, urging them to take every precaution to prevent the disease from entering the country. This heightened awareness extends to the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games. All visitors and participants, arriving in Paris from July 26th onwards, are advised to exercise extra caution, particularly when considering bringing in pork or pork products.
Does this pose a risk to the UK?
The threat doesn’t stop at the French border. British farmers and the UK government are also on high alert. The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (ADHB) states “The threat doesn’t stop at the French border. British farmers and the UK government are also on high alert. We urge all pig producers to ensure their biosecurity is tight, particularly vehicles, animals and people coming on to their units. We need all pig producers, farmers and the public to pull together to keep this disease out.”
The Dover Port Health Authority (DPHA) has also raised concerns about a surge in illegal meat imports intercepted at the Port of Dover. With vast quantities entering the country, they fear that this might just be the “tip of the iceberg.” DPHA staff have seized over 57 tonnes of illegal meat since the new border checks came into force.
Pig farmers are being encouraged to implement robust biosecurity measures on their farms, including measures to control the movement of people and animals, as well as enhancing their disinfection protocols. Public awareness campaigns and posters at UK airports have been put up to warn against bringing pork products to the UK and people are being encouraged to report any suspicious activity.
Additionally, the government maintains a program of constant surveillance to detect any potential outbreaks as quickly as possible.
While these measures are in place, the recent cases in Italy and Germany highlight the unpredictable nature of African swine fever in wild boar and commercially farmed pigs. Constant vigilance and international cooperation are crucial to prevent the spread of ASF and protect pig populations across Europe.
You can find out more about ASF in our dedicated disease spotlight here: African Swine Fever Spotlight: Exploring ASF.
Protect your pigs from ASF with a Livetec Biosecurity Plan
Despite its devastating impact on pigs, ASF can be stopped from gaining access to your premises. It is widely understood that ASF is brought onto pig farms from outside sources. Across Europe, pig farms with robust biosecurity have avoided infection, whilst other farms in the area get infected.
Find out how Livetec can help you protect your pigs today. Contact us here.
