Red Tractor’s ASF warning to UK pig farms

Stewart Houston, pig sector chairman for the Red Tractor farm assurance scheme, has warned about the growing risk of African swine fever (ASF).

In a blog on the Red Tractor website, Mr Houston urges farmers to step up their efforts to keep the deadly animal disease out of the country as it spreads across Europe.

“As farmers, it’s our responsibility to ensure the health and wellbeing of the animals in our care,” he says.

“Whilst ASF doesn’t affect humans, it is a highly contagious and fatal notifiable disease that is present in parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Mainland Italy has recently confirmed its first ever case of the strain currently circulating in Europe, Asia, and Central America.

“The risk of ASF reaching the UK has increased. If it were to arrive here, it would have a devastating impact on the health of our pig population and the domestic and international trade of pigs and pork.”