The epidemic, which intensified in early September with 24 new outbreaks, primarily affects the Lombardy region but has also spread to Piedmont and Emilia Romagna. These areas are famous for producing Parma prosciutto, one of Italy's most prized exports. The spread of ASF has led to restrictions on both farmers and wild boar hunters, adding to the economic toll.
Giovanni Airoli, a pig farmer from south of Milan, faced the devastation firsthand when one of his pigs tested positive for the virus in August. Within a week, the government ordered the slaughter of all 6,200 pigs on his farm to prevent the disease from spreading. This drastic measure is part of a broader effort to contain the outbreak, which has already led to the culling of nearly 120,000 pigs across Italy since January 2022.
"It's a desolation," said Airoli, whose farm operates under strict hygiene protocols, allowing only employees in and out, dressed in sanitized coveralls and boots. Despite following all safety measures, Airoli remains baffled by the failure. "We don't understand what it could have been," he added.
Italy's agricultural lobby, Coldiretti, estimates that the disease has caused 500 million euros ($554 million) in damages, partially due to import bans. "The spread of swine fever has reached alarming levels," said Confindustria President Ettore Prandini, warning of the risk to the entire pork sector, which generates 20 billion euros ($22 billion) annually.
To tackle the crisis, the government appointed Giovanni Filippini, a veterinary expert who previously eradicated swine fever in Sardinia, as the new commissioner. Filippini has implemented stricter measures, including farm access restrictions and enlarged buffer zones. His approach appears to be yielding some results, with Lombardy reporting only one new outbreak in the last week of September. However, the battle is far from over. "It is a positive sign, but not yet a victory," said Giovanni Loris Alborali, director of the animal health institute for Lombardy and Emilia Romagna.
International markets have reacted swiftly. Countries like China, Taiwan, and Mexico imposed immediate bans on Italian pork products, resulting in a monthly export loss of 20 million euros ($22 million). However, markets such as the U.S. and Canada continue to accept pork from unaffected areas.
newsweek.com