October 4, 2024
ASF threatens Italy's pork industry amid rising outbreaks
African swine fever (ASF) is spreading across northern Italy, threatening the country's pork industry, Newsweek reported.
The epidemic, which surged in early September 2024 with 24 new outbreaks, is primarily affecting the Lombardy region and has also extended into Piedmont and Emilia Romagna. These areas are well-known for producing Parma prosciutto, one of Italy's top exports. The spread of ASF has resulted in restrictions on both farmers and wild boar hunters, adding to the economic strain.
Giovanni Airoli, a swine farmer from south of Milan, experienced the devastation first-hand when one of his swine tested positive for the virus in August. Within a week, authorities ordered the culling of all 6,200 swine on his farm to prevent the spread of the disease. This drastic measure is part of broader efforts to contain the outbreak, which has already resulted in the culling of nearly 120,000 swine across Italy since January 2022.
"It's a desolation," Airoli said, describing how his farm operates under strict hygiene protocols, permitting only employees in and out, who are required to wear sanitied coveralls and boots. Despite adhering to safety measures, Airoli remains unsure how the virus reached his farm. "We don't understand what it could have been," he added.
Italy's agricultural lobby, Coldiretti, estimates that ASF has caused approximately EUR 500 million (US$554 million) in damages, in part due to import bans. Confindustria President Ettore Prandini expressed concern, stating, "The spread of swine fever has reached alarming levels," and warned that the entire pork sector, which generates EUR 20 billion (US$22 billion) annually, is at risk.
In response to the crisis, the government has appointed Giovanni Filippini, a veterinary expert credited with eradicating swine fever in Sardinia, as the new ASF commissioner. Filippini has introduced stricter control measures, including limiting farm access, and expanding buffer zones. Early results indicate some success, as Lombardy reported only one new outbreak in the last week of September. However, the situation remains precarious. "It is a positive sign, but not yet a victory," said Giovanni Loris Alborali, director of the animal health institute for Lombardy and Emilia Romagna.
The international market reaction was swift, with countries like China, Taiwan, and Mexico imposing bans on Italian pork products, leading to an estimated export loss of EUR 20 million (US$22 million) per month. However, markets such as the US and Canada continue to accept pork from areas unaffected by the outbreaks.
For farmers like Airoli, the future remains uncertain. With no clear timeline for controlling the outbreak, the Parma Prosciutto Consortium has already noted a significant impact on production. The group cited "strong production limitations" due to the reduced availability of fresh pork legs, as well as price increases that pose challenges to sustainability.
Farmers outside the affected regions are taking additional precautions to prevent contamination. Sergio Visini, who runs an antibiotic-free swine farm, has doubled sanitisation efforts, ensuring trucks are cleaned twice before entering swine areas. "This outbreak can also turn into an opportunity to improve animal health and welfare," Visini said.
- Newsweek