Inside African swine fever
Declaring Belgium free can help EU pig market
It took a while, but Belgium has been officially declared free from African swine fever (ASF). As a result, our southern neighbors will soon be able to export their pork worldwide again.
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Belgium lost its ASF-free status in September 2018 due to infections in the wild boar population. Since April 2019, the country seemed to get the situation under control and few new infections were found. The most recent contamination on a fresh carcass was found on August 11 last year.
AVP-free status
For a long time, Belgium was restricted in international pork exports due to ASF. On November 20, the European Commission decided to abolish the regulated zones and it was announced that Belgian pork products were welcome again in the Philippines. The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) has now officially declared Belgium free of the virus.
Even though Belgium is officially ASF-free again, strict controls continue to take place. The surveillance and control measures remain in force for the time being, for both the pig herd and the wild boar population. The fact that Belgian pork can soon be exported worldwide again is a positive aspect for the European pig market. It is burdened by a large selection.
Infections in Germany are rising
In the meantime, there has not yet been a decrease in ASF infections in Germany. On Monday (December 21), the Friedricht Loeffler Institute (FLI) once again confirmed new ASF cases. A total of 8 new infections were detected, all within the Oder-Spree core area in Brandenburg. In Brandenburg, the counter is at 343 infections, the total number of infections is 358 until Wednesday, December 23.