January 21, 2020

30 cases of African swine fever detected in Germany among wild boar

A further 30 African swine fever (ASF) cases have been detected among wild boar in Brandenburg state, eastern Germany, a continuing disease outbreak which has stopped the country's exports to Asia, Reuters reported.

There are now 527 cases of ASF in the state, according to Brandenburg's health ministry. In addition to the 17 cases in Saxony, Germany has 544 total ASF cases.

All cases were detected among wild boars, with no farm swine affected. However, two of the 30 new cases were discovered 2 km outside of the are where most ASF cases were confirmed. Electric fences are being constructed around that area.

China, Japan, and South Korea have banned German pork imports after ASF was first detected in Germany in September 2020.

Germany is in discussions with China to relax the import bans to only areas affected by ASF.

VEZG, the association of German animal farmers, said swine prices in Germany are at EUR 1.19 (~US$1.44; EUR 1 = US$1.21) per kg since mid-November last year.

Other European countries have boosted pork exports to Asia, in turn increasing German pork exports within Europe.

German pork prices have not surged as there is limited capacity in German slaughterhouses. These slaughterhouses are implementing higher standards of health and safety checks after several COVID-19 outbreaks were reported among meatpacking workers.

- Reuters