British government expects African swine fever

The government in the United Kingdom expects to find an outbreak of African swine fever in the country before the end of next year. That is why the British pig industry is now calling for additional action.

Commenting on the British government's statements, Richard Lister, the chairman of the National Pig Association (NPA), said more action was needed to fight African swine fever. "If the government thinks the animal disease will be found in our country within 12 months, that clearly means that more resources and efforts are needed to keep it out."

In addition, the interest group wonders whether the problem is being taken seriously enough, despite the flyer campaign that was announced earlier this year. "We do not see these flyers consistently in the ports or at the airports. In addition, there seems to be little interest from various parties in supporting the agricultural ministry in the country (Defra)."

The UK Department of Agriculture says it has calculated that an outbreak of African swine fever will cost the UK around €90 million, but the NPA expects this amount to be much higher. This is in view of the fact that the export market is worth approximately €470 million annually.

Russia culls 35.000 pigs
In Russia, where the animal disease is spreading rapidly, more than 35.000 pigs were again culled last week. The virus was found on a pig farm with 35.647 pigs in the west of the country (in Novgorod). In addition, government known that there have also been 5 small outbreaks at small, mostly unregistered, pig farms.

In the Balkans, meanwhile, there is talk of a serious risk of infection, given also Serbia was hit by African swine fever in mid-August. That is why the Croatian Minister of Agriculture has announced a number of new measures. One of those measures is a ban on the sale of pigs that do not meet all the requirements.

Kimberly Baker

Kimberly Bakker is an all-round editor at Boerenbusiness. She also has an eye for the social media channels of Boerenbusiness.

k.baker @boerenbusiness. Nl

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