New method for detecting African Swine Fever being developed

ASF has been threatening the Polish pork industry since a first case was detected in February 2014, which subsequently led to countries to place embargoes on Polish pork products.

Boar culls have been suggested as a possible solution, although experts have argued that this will prove ineffective.

Director of the National Veterinary Research Institute, Krzysztof Niemczuk, told a press conference that, “For over a year we have been acting against ASF. According to the World Health Organization we are acting effectively, although it will still take time before we are free from this disease.”

Niemczuk said that his Institute is planning to develop a simple test which could be used by farmers and veterinary surgeons in the meat packaging industry, who would then send on suspect samples to the Institute for further analysis.

According to Niemczuk, this would save money as it would reduce the number of samples that have to be analysed. Since the discovery of ASF, his Institute has looked at over 60,000 samples.

In addition, from a new “biosecurity” area will be in place in the Podlaskie Voivodeship (North-Eastern Poland), where farmers will have to introduce new security measures and will receive compensation for ceasing to farm pigs.

The biosecurity area contains around 350 farms with a current total of 2,500 pigs. (sl/rg)

Source: PAP