Pig farms can restart in Belgium’s ASF zone
Belgium has started the repopulation of pig farms located in the southern region that was hit by African Swine Fever (ASF) between 2018 and 2020.
Those farms are located in the south of Luxembourg province, adjacent to Luxembourg the country. Permission to repopulate was given on January 25, following the confirmation by the EU that Belgium’s wild boar herd is free from ASF, on October 1, 2020; and by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) on December 22, 2020.
In total: 67 pig farms depopulated
The news of the permission was shared by the Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC). In total, 67 farms had to be depopulated in September 2018 when ASF was detected amongst wild boar in that area. As the area is not densely populated with swine farms, 4,150 pigs had to be culled. In addition, they had to remain ‘empty’ for at least 18 months, something which was compensated by the authorities.
Apart from the repopulation, Belgian authorities will also relax transport regulations for pigs. It has become possible again to pick up pigs from various farms by using just one truck. In addition, it is possible to deliver a truck load of breeding pigs at more than one facility. The FASFC does remind pig producers, however, to continue to keep biosecurity measures in mind.
by Anne-Marie van der Linde / Pig Progress
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