With 2.2 tonnes of carcass, the swine sector is an important economic sector for France. Today, it is threatened by an infection affecting pigs and wild boars: African swine fever. The government has planned an action plan to prevent a new epidemic.
31 cases since January. In Italy, wild boars have shown symptoms of African swine fever. This disease affects pigs which end up in a lethargic state, with a high fever, no desire to eat, and redness around the ears. This infection is harmless to humans but deadly to swines. This virus has been circulating in Europe for about ten years and is wreaking havoc in Asia. The first case in 2022 was confirmed in Italy in Piedmont and Liguria, less than 100 kilometers from the French border. In addition to the risk for animals, this fever threatens the economy of the swine sector. To fight against this new epidemic and protect French territory, the government has decided to implement an action plan.
The transmission of this virus is linked to various factors: through contaminated animals, equipment, vehicles, and people who have been in contact with an animal affected by the infection. If wild boars or pigs consume infected meats or sausages, they can also contract the fever. Currently, there is no vaccine or treatment for this disease. To counter this, the Minister of Agriculture and Food has put together an action plan. This strategy includes 3 main axes: prevention, surveillance, and preparation for the fight. https://agriculture.gouv.fr/peste-porcine-africaine
The government calls for the immediate mobilization of stakeholders in the swine sector and the rapid and effective deployment of the measures in place. The targeted actors by these measures include professionals in the pig sector (farmers, holders, transporters…), hunters, territorial actors, and travelers. “France is free from African swine fever, and it is imperative that it remains so. I appeal to the responsibility of everyone, in the name of the protection of animal health, our farms, and the entire sector” says Julien Denormandie, the Minister of Agriculture and Food.
