African Swine Fever outbreaks plague Italian pig farmers

ITALY – Italy’s pig farming industry is grappling with a devastating African swine fever (ASF) outbreak, with 24 outbreaks reported across hundreds of farms. 

The disease, which has led to the culling of over 60,000 pigs, poses a serious threat to the nation’s pork products, such as sausage and prosciutto, valued at US$9 billion annually.

In response, the Italian government has appointed veterinarian Giovanni Filippini as Director General of Animal Health to combat the worst swine fever outbreak the country has seen since the 1960s. 

Lombardy, Piedmont, and Emilia Romagna are key regions impacted. To contain the outbreak, Italian soldiers are using drones and thermal imaging to track animal movements.

However, the economic impact is devastating not only on culled animals but also on the loss of export markets. 

Pork exports to China, Japan, Asia, and some American countries were blocked a few days after Italy first discovered the virus. 

It is estimated that producers have lost nearly $550 million due to lost exports since January 2022.

The virus’s ongoing presence in wild boars further complicates containment efforts, raising fears of the disease spreading beyond Italy’s borders.

French farmers call for wild boar culling near German border 

In related news, French farmers’ unions are urging the government to mass-cull wild boars along the country’s border with Germany to prevent the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF). 

In a joint statement, the National Federation of Farmers’ Unions (FNSEA) and the National Union of Pig Holders (FNP) emphasised the need to establish a “white zone” east of the Rhine, where all wild boars should be eliminated.

This demand comes as ASF cases in Germany have been reported just 78 kilometres from the French border, raising concerns that wild boars, capable of travelling 20 to 30 kilometres per day, could soon spread the virus into France. 

ASF poses no threat to humans but is highly fatal to pigs, jeopardising the pork industry.

The unions also called for preventive measures, including maintaining a stock of gates and biosecurity materials, alongside systematic audits of pig farms in border regions. 

Farms that fail to meet biosecurity standards would be ordered to cease operations to curb the risk of infection.

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