August 27, 2008

Serbia is expecting to begin exports of live pigs and pork to the EU in three to four years, once vaccination against classical swine fever is no longer required, according to Zoran Micovic, head of the Veterinary Board.

A decision to halt vaccination is expected at the end of 2009, and it will be reached in cooperation with the EU, Micovic said.

In 2006, the EU banned imports of livestock and meat products from Serbia to prevent the sales of Serbian live pigs and thermally unprocessed pork products to the bloc.

Serbia currently exports pigs to its non-EU neighbours Macedonia, Bosnia, Montenegro, and Herzegovina.

Serbia has vaccinated about four million pigs against swine fever since the start of 2008, Micovic said, adding that there has not been a resurgence of the disease in the past 10 months and it has not been reported for 30 years.

In order to export pigs and pork to the EU, Serbia must ensure there are no outbreaks of the disease for a year after vaccinations.