March 9, 2006

Netherlands steps up swine fever measures

The Netherlands Agriculture ministry has stepped up efforts to prevent the recent classical swine fever outbreak in Germany from reaching the Netherlands.

All animals imported from the affected area in Germany have been ordered by Agriculture Minister Cees Veerman to be inspected. The transport vehicles carrying them must also be cleaned and disinfected.

In Germany, authorities have put pigs from the affected farms under quarantine. Authorities in the Netherlands are currently monitoring the situation just across the border.

German authorities reported two outbreaks of classical swine fever to the European Union early in the week ending Mar 10, saying the outbreaks occurred on two pig farms in Haltern and Lavesum in North-Rhine Westphalia.