EFSA Launches Campaign to Stop Spread of African Swine Fever

EFSA Launches Campaign to Stop Spread of African Swine Fever

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has launched a new campaign to raise awareness and help halt the spread of African swine fever (ASF) in southeast Europe.

The campaign targets countries that EFSA identified in 2019 as regions of concern because of their proximity to countries where ASF is present. They include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo[1], Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia.

According to EFSA, the campaign will complement the ongoing efforts of the European Commission and other international organisations to work towards the eradication of the disease in Europe.

It aims to raise awareness and understanding of ASF by sharing messages with groups of people and individuals who come into contact with domestic pigs and wild boar, such as pig farmers and hunters. EFSA also plans to engage with veterinary organizations, hunting associations, farmers’ groups, customs officers, border police, local governments, tourist operators and travelers, an EFSA release said.

The campaign's key message, "Detect, Prevent, Report," emphasizes that an ASF outbreak can cause devastating effects. Detection, prevention and reporting are essential to contain the disease that affects both domestic pigs and wild pigs, EFSA said in a release.

Although, the ASF virus is harmless to humans, it has caused significant economic disruption in many countries. There are currently no vaccines for ASF, so an outbreak can necessitate the slaughter of large numbers of farm-kept pigs in affected areas.

Find out more at www.efsa.europa.eu/StopASF.

[1] This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.

More from Farm Journal's PORK:

5 Ways to Hold Your Ground Against African Swine Fever

ASF Continues to Explode in the Eastern Hemisphere, Pyburn Says

What You Don't Coach You Condone: A Veterinarian's Take on Biosecurity

 

Latest News

Hogs and Pigs Report: How Will Increase in Pigs Saved Per Litter Impact the Pork Outlook?
Hogs and Pigs Report: How Will Increase in Pigs Saved Per Litter Impact the Pork Outlook?

Of all the numbers in the latest USDA Hogs and Pigs Report, the number that caught economists’ eye was pigs saved per litter. Here's why Steve Meyer, Ever. Ag senior economists, says this is a number to watch.

Why You Need to Understand How USDA Purchase Programs Work
Why You Need to Understand How USDA Purchase Programs Work

With pork producers facing prolonged economic headwinds, recent USDA commodity purchases of pork offer relief at pivotal times. It’s important to understand how these programs work, says NPPC president Lori Stevermer.

Get the Facts Straight on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Get the Facts Straight on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Now that the mystery illness impacting some dairy herds has been revealed as the same strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza that has been impacting the U.S. poultry flock, pork producers are asking questions.

Merck Introduces Sequivity with Microsol Diluvac Forte Adjuvant Prescription Vaccine
Merck Introduces Sequivity with Microsol Diluvac Forte Adjuvant Prescription Vaccine

Merck Animal Health announced it has received license approval from the USDA for Sequivity with Microsol Diluvac Forte adjuvant prescription vaccine for use in gilts and sows. 

What Does the Next Generation of the Pork Industry Want?
What Does the Next Generation of the Pork Industry Want?

It’s easy to make assumptions about what others think, but recent research funded by the Indiana Pork Producers Association and the Indiana Soybean Alliance proves it’s always better to go to the source itself.

Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps
Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps

U.S. employers report challenges in finding suitable job candidates with work-ready skills to fill open roles in ag. The AgCareers.com U.S. Skills Survey offers insights, data and trends to address skill development.