January 17, 2021

Italy's pork industry concerned over African swine fever

Pork producers in Italy are dreading major economic damage to their agricultural export after African swine fever was detected among wild boar north of the country, AP report.

The virus, detected in a wild boar in the Piedmont region in northwest Italy, has cut short the official seasons to hunt for game, hiking, and to gather prized truffles in parts of Liguria and Piedmont to prevent the spread of ASF.

Confagricoltura, the Italian farm lobby, said China, Japan, Taiwan and Kuwait have suspended Italian pork imports, while restrictions have been announced by Switzerland.

Pork and pork products exports in Italy total 1.5 billion EUR (~US$1.7 billion; 1 EUR = US$1.14). One third of Italian pork exports are sold outside the European Union.

Other regions in Italy's north have called for a crackdown on wild boars outside the affected area to save their pork production.

-      AP