December 10, 2024

FAO in cooperation with US and South Korean partners to fight ASF in wild pigs in Southeast Asia

The Food and Agriculture Organization, the United States' Defense Threat Reduction Agency, and South Korea's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs have recently partnered to address African swine fever (ASF) in Southeast Asia with a focus on protecting wild pigs.

Through this collaboration, FAO, through its Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases, has launched initiatives targeting ASF from multiple fronts.

Initial successes are being seen in an FAO-implemented and multiple donor-funded initiative, especially in the Philippines. A community-based educational initiative called Community ASF Biosecurity Intervention is starting to enhance local farmers' awareness of biosecurity measures. ROK-MAFRA and United States Agency for International Development's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance are technically and financially supporting the CABI programme.

Additionally, FAO recently launched the "Protect wild pigs! Protect all pigs!" campaign aimed at raising awareness about the importance of protecting wild pigs from ASF.

FAO emphasises that combating ASF requires a collective effort.

"The stakes have never been higher," said Yooni Oh, FAO animal production and health officer and ASF programme coordinator at its regional office for Asia Pacific. "Without sustained and collaborative action, we risk erasing some of Asia's most iconic wild pigs and the rich ecological and cultural heritage they represent."

- National Hog Farmer