Guidelines on prevention, control, and eradication of African swine fever
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New EU guidelines on prevention, control, and eradication of African swine fever (ASF)
Commission Notice on the guidelines on the prevention, control and eradication of African swine fever in the Union (ASF guidelines)
Update
The EU has published guidelines on the prevention, control, and eradication of African swine fever (ASF). The guidelines mainly target EU competent authorities and stakeholders (farmers, veterinarians, hunters, feed business operators). However, they can be used by all countries and relevant operators to prevent, control, and eradicate ASF.
Impacted Products
Live pigs/wild boar and their products
What is changing?
The new ASF guidelines illustrate best practices on biosecurity measures and on ASF management for both farmed pigs and wild boar in the different types of zones. Principles and criteria are provided for the ASF regionalisation with geographical demarcation of restricted zones III (ASF in farmed animals); II (ASF in wild animals); and I (bordering zone II or III), and for the recovery of free status (Section IV of the guidelines).
The guidelines address different levels of risk, taking account of the structure of veterinary and related competent authorities, national legislation, and the local context, and can be tailored to the specific needs of each country.
Tools provided in the Annex include key messages for awareness raising campaigns for specific target groups (veterinarians, farmers, hunters, general public).
Why?
ASF is a devastating infectious, usually deadly, disease of pigs that has a direct effect on trade. Infected countries cannot export pork unless regionalisation applies and is accepted. Good practices should be encouraged to control the disease.
The guidelines are based on international standards, scientific assessments, best practices, and experiences of Member States and other countries.
Timeline
Date of publication: 18 December 2023.
What are the major implications for exporting countries?
Although the guidelines mainly target EU competent authorities and stakeholders, they can be used by all countries and relevant operators to prevent, control, and eradicate ASF. They are based in particular on WOAH recommendations.
Recommended Actions
Competent authorities and stakeholders should use the relevant tools available to prevent, control, and eradicate ASF. The EU guidelines propose, for example, biosecurity measures, key messages for information campaigns, and criteria for regionalisation.
Background
ASF continues to spread worldwide, threatening pig health and welfare and impacting on trade. The disease has reached multiple countries across Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Pacific, affecting both domestic and wild pigs. No vaccination is available.
ASF is on the list of diseases that must be notified to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) via the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS).
The EU animal health legislation framework is set in Regulation 2016/429. Regulation 2020/692 lays down the requirements specifically for non-EU countries exporting to the EU (see Animal health requirements for third countries exporting to the EU – explained).
Resources
Online resources from the European Commission:
Sources
Commission Notice on the guidelines on the prevention, control and eradication of African swine fever in the Union (ASF guidelines)