ASF outbreak near French border

Various media recently reported an African swine fever infection near the French border, but this report was later contradicted. Nevertheless, the animal disease has indeed advanced towards France, because infected wild boars have been found just 2 kilometers from the border.

This week, 2 infected wild boars were found outside the so-called 'buffer zone'. The animals were shot by hunters 2 kilometers from the French border, Walloon Agriculture Minister René Collin said. France and Luxembourg have since been notified of the discovery and the buffer zone has been expanded.

Hundreds of outbreaks
Since the first outbreak in September, more than 281 infected wild boars have been found in Belgium. There are 15 to 20 new cases every week. At the current rate, the virus is spreading about 2 kilometers every month; if that pace continues, the virus will soon spread to France.

The Belgian authorities are doing everything they can to prevent further spread. Fencing has therefore been placed in various places around the buffer zone (a total of 30 kilometers). The fence is mainly placed in the eastern and southern part of the buffer zone, which means that the west (towards France) is not yet framed.

Wouter Job

Wouter Baan is editor-in-chief of Boerenbusiness. He also focuses on dairy, pig and meat markets. He also follows (business) developments within agribusiness and interviews CEOs and policymakers.

w.baan@boerenbusiness. Nl

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