The outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) confirmed on May 25 in Forchheim (Baden-Württemberg) is the first to be confirmed on Germany's western border. The town is located 6 km from the French border on the other side of the Rhine.
The outbreak has been reported on a farm with 35 free-range pigs. The entire farm has been depopulated and no cases have been identified among the surrounding wildlife.
In order to protect the French territory, the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Safety has announced the reinforcement of wildlife health surveillance and calls for strict compliance with biosecurity measures by professionals in the swine industry, those intervening in the territories, and travelers.
The measures provided for in the ASF Prevention Plan developed in February 2022 under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food are implemented immediately, in particular:
- strengthening of wildlife surveillance;
- census of all pig and wild boar holders, in particular farms and nurseries;
- evaluating and supporting biosecurity measures on farms;
The Ministry of Agriculture stresses the importance of implementing the strictest biosecurity measures both on farms and in transportation, particularly in the new German outbreak area. Animals/feed must not have any contact with wild boar. Traceability rules must be strictly observed.
All state professionals and services have been informed of this situation and will meet in a crisis unit to reiterate the collective vigilance or even discuss the reinforcement of state action.
PigUA.info by materials pig333.com