Despite the outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF), Belgium still has a free status for domestic and captive wild pigs. There are no outbreaks in domestic swine. ^>
the 13th of September 2018, the ASF virus was confirmed for the first time since 1985 in 2 wild boars in the municipality Etalle in the province of Luxembourg. This is the most southern province of Belgium. In this region very few domestic pigs are kept, because most swine farms are located in the northern paf Belgium.
From that day on, taking into account the definitions included in Chapter 15.1.3 of the OIE Terrestrial Code, Belgium lost its disease-free status for African swine fever in all suids. Despite that, Belgium still has a free status for domestic and captive wild pigs. There are no outbreaks in domestic swine.
We are well aware that the potential risk lies in the spreading from wild boars to domestic and captive wild pigs. However, this risk is limited since the necessary measures are taken. On the 24th of September, the decision was taken to cull all domestic pigs within the zone, that covers 63,000 hectares. In this zone, only approx. 4,000 domestic pigs are bred.
Notwithstanding, the certification conditions laid down in the protocol concluded between the Kingdom of Belgium and the third countries will be scrupulously respected. In the infected zone, the following measures are taken (as provided in Article 15 of European Union Directive 2002/60/EC):
Besides these measures, the Belgian Food Safety Agency started an epidemiological investigation to identify the cause of the ASF virus introduction.
All the official information about African Swine Fever can be found on the website of the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain.
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VLAM
Koning Albert II-laan 35 bus 50
B-1030 Brussel
T: +32 2 552 80 11
F: +32 2 552 80 01
E: meatinfo@vlam.be