Given the recent progression of African swine fever in wild boars in Germany, France's Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty has raised ASF surveillance to level 2B of the wildlife health surveillance network in the departments of Bas-Rhin and Moselle. The ministry says this decision makes it possible to mobilize more field actors to increase the reporting of wild boar carcasses, their collection and analysis, as has been the case since January 2022 in the three departments of the PACA region bordering northern Italy.

The aim of this enhanced surveillance is the earliest possible detection of the arrival of ASF in wildlife in order to avoid its spread and prevent its transmission to domestic pigs. The ministry's services are in contact with hunters' representatives to achieve optimal regulation of wild boars on the border with Germany, as is done in the PACA region.

To anticipate the introduction of ASF in France, the ministry launched a vast communication campaign last July, which will continue until the end of November. This campaign raises awareness among road haulers, international travelers, hikers, hunters and seasonal workers of the risk of introducing ASF into France, from contaminated food from infected countries thrown into the wild and consumed by wild boars.

This campaign complements the ongoing vigilance of the ministry's services, which train throughout the year, specifically in animal health crisis management simulation exercises. From 2022-2023, the Departmental Directorates for the Protection of Populations carried out more than 300 scenarios. To complete this system, the ministry is assessing the possibilities of setting up fences to block or contain the disease.

The ministry notes strict compliance with biosecurity rules is the only protection for livestock farming to reduce the risks of contact between wild boars and domestic pigs, and the risks of introducing the virus from contaminated people, materials and equipment. Professionals are strongly encouraged to strictly apply regulatory requirements in terms of biosecurity.