September 18, 2020

Germany confirms new African swine fever case, government considers aid to farmers

Germany's federal agriculture minustry has confirmed one more African swine fever (ASF) case in Brandenburg, eastern Germany, while the government considers providing aid to swine farmers if pork markets decline, Reuters reported.

This makes the total ASF cases detected in Brandenburg to seven. All the cases were discovered among wild boar carcasses and not farm livestock.

China, Japan and South Korea have imposed import bans on German pork since the ASF discovery was reported.

Julia Kloeckner, German Agriculture Minister said pork prices have not tumbled further since its drop last week, adding that the ministry is prepared to support farmers should prices considerably fall.

She said pork sales are viable inside the European Union, with 70% of all German pork exports accounted to the EU.

Aid to farmers include state subsidies for pork private storage. She said warehouses are currently well-stocked with export products.

Kloeckner said Germany is maintaining discussion with pork importing countries to establish a regional ban locked to areas where diseases are detected, instead of a national ban.

On the ASF situation, the agriculture ministry said there may be more ASF cases as the disease is easily transmitted between wild boar through body fluids. However, no farm livestock have been infected.

-      Reuters