December 11, 2012

The EU will invest in the fight against African Swine Fever on the Italian island of Sardinia in 2013.

The island is the only place in the EU where African Swine Fever (ASF) is still present. In the remainder of the EU, the disease has no longer been present since 1960.

This year, ASF was confirmed in seven of the eight provinces. Italy has therefore asked the European Commission to help in the preparation of a modified and improved monitoring and management programme for the disease.

EU funds are spent on vaccinations or new techniques to detect diseases quickly. Member states can also spend for the control and monitoring of Classical Swine Fever.

The most serious problem with African Swine Fever in Europe can be found outside the boundaries of the EU. Russia has been fighting ASF for several years now.