February 14, 2022

Commissioner appointed in Italy to manage African swine fever outbreak

A special commissioner has been appointed by the Italian government to coordinate measures aimed at eliminating the country's African swine fever (ASF) outbreak, Reuters reported.

Italy's Prime Minister's office said the plan aims to eliminate ASF in wild boars in Italian territory and to stop the disease from spreading to swine farms to protect animal health, the national production system and exports.

Regions in Italy were given 30 days by the government to plan measures to tackle ASF, which was detected northeast of the country at the start of 2022.

China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs announced that is has suspended pork imports from Italy due to ASF.

-      Reuters