After an outbreak of African swine fever was confirmed last week in Germany in a pig farm located near the French border, the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty has announced the strengthening of health surveillance on wildlife and calls for strict compliance with biosecurity measures by professionals in the pig sector, those involved in territories and travellers.

Very present in Asia, ASF has been circulating for about 10 years in Eastern Europe and has been present in Eastern Germany since September 2020 with a few isolated cases. The outbreak confirmed on May 25 in Forchheim (Baden-Württemberg) is the first highlighted on the western border of Germany. The town is located 6 kilometers from the French border on the other side of the Rhine.

The farm concerned is a farm of 35 pigs reared in the open air. The entire farm has been depopulated and no cases have been identified at this stage among wildlife in the surrounding area. The German authorities will intensify the search for wild boar carcasses and control the farms in the surrounding area. A protection and surveillance zone has been set up by the German authorities, in conjunction with the European Commission. The epidemiological investigation is underway in Germany to determine the origin of the disease.

On the side of the French authorities, the state services are fully mobilized to monitor any alert and support professionals. The measures provided for in the ASF Prevention Plan, that were developed in February 2022 under the authority of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, have been implemented immediately, in particular:

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty recalls the importance of implementing the strictest biosecurity measures both in livestock farming and in means of transport, in particular those coming from the new German outbreak area. Animals/food should have no contact with wildlife. Traceability rules must be strictly observed.

All state professionals and services have been informed of this situation and will meet this week in a crisis unit format to recall collective vigilance and even to discuss the strengthening of state action.

Source: French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, which is solely responsible for the information provided, and wholly owns the information. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.