PR87381

BRUSSELS, Dec 23, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

- ASF in wild boar gone for more than one year        

- Domestic herd always remained ASF-free

On December 21th 2020, the World Organisation of Animal Health (OIE) confirmed

the ASF-free status in all suidae of Belgium, which had been removed since

September 2018 due to the outbreak of ASF in the wild boar population.

Prior to the OIE publication, Belgium's FASFC (Federal Agency for the Safety of

the Food Chain) provided the OIE with all necessary data which proved that

Belgium has been ASF-free for more than one year: a necessary condition to

claiming the status of being ASF-free.

Throughout this entire period, Belgium was successful in keeping its domestic herd of pigs ASF-free.

Decisive and consistent actions have led to the eradication of ASF in the wild

boar population

From the start of the outbreak in September 2018, Belgium's strategy was to

eradicate ASF (African Swine Fever) in the wild boar population. A wide variety

of measures and actions were taken. Fencing, forests closed to the public,

intensive search and destroy programme, hunting and trapping—all proved to be

key success factors in achieving this goal.

In just one year, no new positive cases were detected. In total 5,422 wild boar

were examined for ASF, of which 833 were confirmed positive for ASF. The last

positive case confirmed on a fresh wild boar carcass dates from 11 August 2019.

Most important: domestic herd was kept safe and ASF-free at all times

Belgium is one of Europe's key pork producers, exporting more than two-thirds

of its pork production. To protect this important sector, it was crucial to

prevent the disease from infecting the domestic herd.

On top of the comprehensive bio-security rules that were already in place,

extra measures were implemented. This means, amongst other things, that every

sick pig must be tested for ASF, regardless of the symptoms. To date, the

number of samplings, all negative, amounts to more than 22,000—and still counting.

Via continuous monitoring and control, alertness remains high

Despite the regained ASF-free status, Belgium will keep monitoring for animal

diseases in the future, both in the domestic herd as well as in the wild

population. The surveillance and control measures remain in force for the time being.

European law had already reinstated Belgium's ASF-free status

The OIE publication follows the decision by the European Commission on 20

November 2020 to abolish the regulated zones that were put in place after the

outbreak of the virus in wild boar.  

Belgian pork will soon be available again, worldwide

Over the last few decades, Belgium has exported pork to more than 70 countries.

As Belgium communicates transparently with its trading partners around the

world, importing countries will soon be provided with all information necessary

to allow trade to resume.

"It is a relief to the Belgian pork suppliers that the OIE has published

Belgium's ASF-free status. Importing countries will be provided with all

information necessary so that they can lift ASF-related restrictions. Excellent

news for importers!"

Contact your Belgian pork supplier

Full information about Belgian pork can be found on:

europeanpork.eu

artofmeat.eu

belgianmeat.com

Or contact Belgian Meat Office.

Press Contact

Joris Coenen, Manager Belgian Meat Office | +32 476 945 486 |

joris.coenen@vlam.be

About Belgian Meat Office

Belgian Meat Office coordinates pork and beef export activities. The meat

export agency was founded in 2003 under the Flandersf Agricultural Marketing

Board (VLAM) umbrella. | www.europeanpork.eu

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1390928/VLAM_Belgian_Pork_1.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1390929/VLAM_Belgian_Pork_2.jpg

Source: VLAM / Belgian Meat Office