News African swine fever
450 pig farms in Poland locked
The spread of African swine fever (ASF) to western Poland has led to increasing transport restrictions. More than 450 pig farms have to deal with less freedom of movement.
On March 21, the first case of the virus in farmed pigs was reported in a sow farm confirmed in western Poland. At the beginning of April, the virus was also officially detected on a rearing farm on the western outskirts of Poznan. As a result, additional transport restrictions have been imposed, which means that more than 450 pig farms can no longer transport their pigs.
Affected area
As a result, the companies in the vicinity of the infected company have to contend with transport restrictions. In the restricted area, the pig farmers are not allowed to move animals within a radius of 3 kilometers around the outbreak location for at least 40 days. This measure affects 61 pig farms.
Measures also apply in the observation area. Here a radius of 7 kilometers is used in the vicinity of the outbreak location. This measure concerns a transport ban of 30 days and this increases the number of affected pig farmers by 391. In total, the transport restrictions apply to 452 farms and more than 30.000 pigs cannot be moved.
Criticism about pest control
There is increasing criticism among pig farmers in Greater Poland about the fight against ASF. The farmers complain that the virus was introduced on the sow farm due to insufficient prior control.
The authorities had previously found infected wild boars near the affected sow farm. The now also affected rearing company had again taken piglets from the sow farm for further rearing.
Chanti Oussoren
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