September 28, 2020

Germany mulls subsidised storage of unsold pork or financial support for farms

Julia Kloeckner, Germany's Agriculture Minister said the government is considering aid in the form of subsidised storage of unsold pork or financial support for farms after the discovery of African swine fever (ASF) among wild boar in the country, Reuters reported.

The proposed aid packages were explained in an online press conference after meeting with regional agriculture ministers.

However, Kloeckner said subsidised storage aid requires approval from the European Union.

China and several other countries have banned German pork imports after Germany reported its first ASF case on September 10.

The ASF cases have been discovered only among dead wild boar in Brandenburg state, east Germany bordering Poland. No farm livestock have been infected.

Pork prices in Germany have dropped following the first ASF case reported, but prices have remained stable this week as there could be higher exports to the EU. Other European exporters have boosted sales to China and other Asian countries to fill the gap from banned German pork imports.

Kloeckner said along Germany's border with Poland, permanent fences will be constructed with financial aid provided by the EU. However, the fences will have gaps for roads and built up areas along the border.

She said the country aims to eradicate ASF and prevent its spread. The country has implemented measures to curb the disease such as increased hunting of wild boar and tests conducted on all wild boar carcasses.

-      Reuters