July 29, 2022

352: Pork: The heightened risk of African swine fever (ASF)

15 minutes

Most pig farmers are already aware of the biosecurity measures they need to take to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks, such as ASF. So, what are the threats and what can we all do to keep ASF out of the UK?

ASF is well-established in parts of Europe, Russia and China, with a reservoir of infection in the wild boar population. The recent announcement of ASF in a pig dense area of Germany, close to the Netherlands border, shows that the risk through human-mediated spread is high. The focus now must be on ensuring ASF does not spread further.

In this episode of our Food and Farming podcast, hosted by Lauren Dimmack, Senior Animal Health & Welfare Scientist, we discuss biosecurity with guests Gemma Thwaites, President, Pig Veterinary Society; Chris Dodds, Executive Secretary, Livestock Auctioneers Association; Rebecca Veale, Senior Policy Adviser, National Pig Association (NPA) and Tony Bayles, AHDB Knowledge Exchange Relationship Manager, Pork (North).

Useful links

Biosecurity on pig farms | AHDB

Biosecurity: People on pig farms | AHDB

Biosecurity: Vehicles on pig farms | AHDB

Order African swine fever resources and posters | AHDB

African swine fever in pigs and wild boars in Europe - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

African swine fever | EFSA (europa.eu)

African swine fever | OIE & FAO | Trello

ASF (npa-uk.org.uk)

Get in touch if you have any concerns or to find out more about anything discussed in this podcast:

Lauren Dimmack

E: [email protected]

M: 07580 972009

Tony Bayles

E: [email protected]

M: 07391 016505

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This episode was produced and edited by Dami Oyinlola, Marcomms Executive (Pork).

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