The African Swine Fever(PSE or ASF) outbreak identified in three wild boars in Italy led to the immediate extension of special EU control measures in Piedmont and Liguria (1,2). In coordination with the crisis units of the Ministry of Health and the regions involved.
It categorically rules out that African swine fever, which has been studied for more than a century, can expose humans and consumers to any health risk. Instead, the situation is potentially critical for a supply chain that is a protagonist of Made in Italy food and its PDOs, PGIs.
1) ASW, EU RULES
1.1) Animal health and disease control
Reg. EU 2016/429, relating to communicable animal diseases, recognizes African Swine Fever as ‘an infectious viral disease that affects kept [or domestic, ed.] and wild pigs and can have serious consequences for the affected animal population and the profitability of the farm.’
Emphasis is placed on the risk that the disease found in some feral pigs ‘may spread to other feral pigs and to held pig establishments.’ And the consequent need to suspend ‘the movement of consignments of such animals and their products within the Union and exports to third countries‘ (Art. 259.2).
1.2) Animal disease control in EU
EU Regulation 2020/687, supplemented reg. EU 2016/429 and its implementing regulation (reg. EU 2018/1882). Prescribing the adoption of appropriate measures in cases of official confirmation of an outbreak of a category A disease in wild animals, (3) including African swine fever in wild pigs.
Prevention and control, in such cases, involve:
– The establishment (and delimitation) of an ‘infected zone’, and
– A ban on the movement of both wild animals (of listed species) and products derived from them.
1.3) African swine fever, special EU control measures
Special measures to control African swine fever were established by the Commission in Reg. EU 2021/605. In case of an outbreak of ASF/ASF in feral pigs in an area of a member state, therefore:
– Establish an infected zone (according to EU Reg. 2020/687, Article 63),
– Place the infected area on the EU list of ‘restricted areas’,(4)
– Update the restricted area without delay.
The restrictions set forth in reg. EU 2021/605 include, among other things, a ban on the movement of pigs held [cioè di allevamento] and their products outside so-called ‘restricted zones II‘. (5)
2) EU MEASURES IN PIEDMONT AND LIGURIA
Italy – after informing the Commission about the outbreak of African swine fever ascertained by IZS Umbria and Marche on 6.1.21 on the carcasses of three wild boars–established an infected area that includes a number of municipalities in the provinces of Alessandria in Piedmont, Genoa, Savona and La Spezia in Liguria (6,7).
The European Commission, through decision 10.1.22 no. 28, (2) therefore extended the restrictions in the previous paragraph to the movement of consignments of domestic pigs and their products originating from these areas. Effective immediately and until 7.4.22, pending the outcome of the special control measures to follow.
3) AFRICAN SWINE FEVER, BASICALLY.
3.1) PSA, a disease of pigs.
Typical symptoms of ASF-which can affect only animals of the swine species, whether wild or domestic-include fever, loss of appetite, weakness, miscarriages, internal and cutaneous bleeding (on ears and flanks especially). Sudden death can also occur.
The most aggressive strains of the virus are generally lethal (death occurs within 10 days of the onset of first symptoms). Animals infected with less aggressive strains of African swine fever virus may not show typical clinical signs. (8)
3.2) Transmission vehicles
Healthy pigs and wild boars are generally infected through:
– Contact with infected animals, including contact between outdoor grazing pigs and wild boars,
– Ingestion of meat or meat products from infected animals. Kitchen scraps, food waste swill, infected wild boar meat (including offal),
– Contact with any objects contaminated with the virus, including clothing, vehicles and other equipment,
– Bites from infected ticks.
Circulation of infected animals, contaminated pork products and their by-products, and uncontrolled (and illegal) disposal of carcasses are the most prominent ways of spreading the disease.
3.3) Ministry of Health Recommendations.
The Ministry of Health has made a number of recommendations.
3.3.1) Recommendations to the whole population
– Never transport any pork or wild boar meat products (e.g., fresh, frozen and deep-frozen meats. Sausages and salami, hams, and any other butcher’s, pork butchery, and delicatessen products). With the exception of products bearing an oval health stamp on the label.
– Always dispose of food waste in suitable, closed rigid containers (bins) and do not give it ‘under any circumstances to domestic pigs or wild boars‘. Do not leave food waste in areas (rural as well as urban) that are accessible to wild boars.
– Call ASL (veterinary services) immediately if wild boar or pigs are found dead.
3.3.2) Recommendations to hunters
– Clean and disinfect equipment, clothing, vehicles, and trophies before leaving the hunting area.
– Eviscerate culled wild boar only at designated facilities.
– Avoid contact with domestic pigs after hunting.
3.3.3) Recommendations to farmers
– Comply with biosecurity regulations, especially changing clothing and footwear when entering or leaving the farm.
– Avoid any possible contact, even indirect, with wild boar or pigs from other farms.
– Immediately notify veterinary services of symptoms referable to PSA and episodes of abnormal mortality.
For more details, see also the previous article.
Dario Dongo, with the collaboration of Isis Consuelo Sanlucar Chirinos
Notes
(1) Dario Dongo. African swine fever, maximum alert in Italy. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 9.1.22, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/sicurezza/peste-suina-africana-massima-allerta-in-italia
(2) EU Implementing Decision 2022/28 of 10.1.22 on certain interim emergency measures against African swine fever in Italy. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/IT/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022D0028&qid=1641925534765
(3) ‘Category A disease‘ is defined as ‘listed disease which does not normally occur in the Union and which, as soon as it is detected, requires immediate eradication measures to be taken, as referred to in Article 9.1.a of Reg. (EU) 2016/429‘. See Article 1 of reg. EU 2018/1882 on the application of certain rules for disease prevention and control to listed categories of diseases and establishing a list of species and groups of species that pose a significant risk of spreading those listed diseases. https://bit.ly/3tglM7W
(4) The list of infected restricted areas shall be established and updated in accordance with Reg. EU 2020/687, Annex I, Part II
(5) Reg. EU 2021/605, establishing special measures to control African swine fever. Text updated as of 4/16/21 on Europa-Lex, https://bit.ly/339r1M3
(6) Piedmont, province of Alessandria. Municipalities of Montaldeo, Molare, Parodi Ligure, Cremolino, Gavi, Cassinelle, Cartosio, Acqui Terme, Arquata Scrivia, Bosio, Castelletto D’Orba, Morbello, Silvano D’Orba, Rocca Grimalda, San Cristoforo, Carpeneto, Visone, Voltaggio, Tagliolo Monferrato, Trisobbio, Strevi, Grognardo, Cavatore, Prasco, Ponzone, Lerma, Fraconalto, Morsasco, Montaldo, Bormida, Melazzo, Mornese, Orsara Bormida, Ovada, Casaleggio Boiro, Belforte, Monferrato, Carrosio, Mongiardino Ligure
(7) Liguria. Genoa and Savona provinces: Genoa, Masone, Campo Ligure, Mignanego, Rossiglione, Tiglieto, Ceranesi, Ronco Scrivia, Isola Del Cantone, Mele, Arenzano, Cogoleto, Campomorone, Busalla, Serra Riccò, Casella, Vobbia, Sant’Olcese, Savignone, Crocefieschi. Savona Province: Celle Ligure, Sassello, Urbe, Varazze Stella
(8) EFSA. African Swine Fever. https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/african-swine-fever
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
