The new requirements for so-called ASF compliance were developed by the FSVO together with industry representatives.
The first level, which has now been introduced, applies to farm operations under normal conditions. It requires strict control of access to farms, the use of hygiene barriers and measures to prevent contact between domestic pigs and wild boar.
In addition, farms must maintain detailed records, including logs of visitors and animal deaths.
Regular Inspections Will Be Required
Compliance with the requirements will be monitored on an ongoing basis. Following an initial inspection by a specialised service, two further control visits will be carried out each year.
Farms that obtain the relevant status will receive certain regulatory advantages if ASF occurs in their area. These will primarily concern the movement and marketing of pigs.
If an ASF outbreak actually occurs, a second level of requirements is expected to be introduced. This will include additional measures concerning animal movements and diagnostic testing. Compliance will be monitored by the cantonal veterinary authorities.
Risk of ASF Introduction Assessed as High
Swiss authorities assess the risk of African swine fever entering the country as high.
The FSVO stresses that in European regions where the virus is circulating among wild boar, transmission to domestic pigs can occur at any time.
The new requirements are therefore intended to improve farm preparedness for a possible spread of ASF and reduce the risk of the virus being introduced onto pig farms.
PigUA.info, based on materials from swissinfo.ch