ASF makes big jump in Italy

The OIE has reported an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in a wild boar near Rome in Italy.

The latest case is over 500km from the initial outbreak in mainland Italy, which means it is likely humans were involved in the movement of disease and not wildlife.

This latest case is a stark reminder to our industry that ASF can move quickly and long distance because the virus can survive for very long periods of time in meat and meat products. The ability for the virus to move this way presents a very real risk UK producers without import checks being introduced in July.

NPA continues to call for import checks to be introduced before 2023 and highlight the disease risk from ASF the UK pig industry is exposed to without such checks at every opportunity.

ASF is still circulating across eastern Europe with continued outbreaks in Romania and Poland, although outbreaks in commercial pigs are lower than they were, there continue to be many cases found in wild boar.

The risk posed to UK pigs is classed as medium, the highest it can be without a disease outbreak.

You can read the latest situation update (April 30, 2022) and advice from Defra here.

NPA has put together a contingency planning template and guidance on ASF for members.

See the Members Area - Hot Topics for the guidance, and email  for a copy of the contingency planning guidance.