July 26, 2021

EFSA expands campaign to more countries to control ASF

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is increasing efforts to control the spread of African swine fever (ASF) in Europe by expanding a current campaign to a nine more countries.

Last summer, EFSA launched the campaign to raise awareness of ASF in south-east Europe. It was carried out in partnership with local authorities in countries comprising a "region of concern" — namely, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia — due to their proximity to countries where ASF is present.

EFSA is now extending the campaign to Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Slovakia, Estonia, Hungary and Romania.

The campaign complements the ongoing efforts of the European Commission and other international organisations working to eradicate the disease in Europe.

The campaign focuses on groups and individuals who come into contact with domestic pigs and wild boar, particularly pig farmers. It is being implemented with assistance from local veterinary organisations, farmers' groups, hunting associations, border police and other relevant bodies.

- EFSA