October 21, 2020

Germany discovers one new African swine fever case in wild boar

Germany's Federal Agriculture Ministry said it has discovered one new African swine fever (ASF) case in a wild boar at Brandenburg state, east Germany, Reuters reported.

This brings the total ASF cases to 71 since the first case was reported on September 10. All cases were detected among wild boar, with no farm livestock infected.

China, Japan, and South Korea have imposed bans on German pork imports after the first case was reported, leading to increased pork prices in China and plunging German pork prices.

Julia Kloeckner, Germany's Agriculture Minister, said swine farmers in Germany are affected by the lower prices and reduced slaughterhouse capacity because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, she said state aid, such as subsidised storage of unsold pork, is not justifiable.

Farming associations in Germany said unsold swine are creating a backlog at farms even though they are ready for slaughter.

-      Reuters