Concerns Rise in Italy as EU Lags on Swine Fever Vaccine Development
As Italy faces a resurgence of African swine fever (ASF) impacting ham production, the European Commission cautions that a vaccine for the disease remains elusive. This summer has seen numerous outbreaks in Italy, Germany, and Poland, with ASF being a highly contagious and deadly virus affecting domestic pigs and wild boar, though it poses no harm to humans.
The situation is particularly severe in Italy, especially in Lombardy, which accounts for over half of the country’s pig population. Giovanni Filippini, Italy’s extraordinary commissioner for ASF, reported 18 outbreaks in Lombardy, alongside outbreaks in Piedmont and Emilia Romagna.
In response to the outbreaks, authorities have imposed restrictions on transport and culling measures. The European Commission underscored the challenges faced by scientists in developing an effective vaccine for ASF. Paco Reviriego Gordejo, head of health and food safety at the Commission, indicated that efforts to create a safe and effective vaccine have not yet succeeded due to the complexity of the virus.
Vietnam was the first country to approve a swine fever vaccine last year; however, concerns have been raised regarding its compliance with international standards, leading to skepticism about importing it into the European Union.
The Parma Ham Consortium has warned consumers about the economic repercussions of ASF, highlighting skyrocketing prices for cured meats as a direct result of a reduced pig population. They indicated that the need for culling infected or at-risk pigs is critical, with estimates suggesting that around 50,000 pigs have been slaughtered since the start of the year due to the outbreaks.
Consequently, trade barriers have affected Italian pork exports to key markets, including China and Japan, further complicating the situation for producers.
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John Peterson graduated with a degree in Agricultural Sciences from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. His specialization is in sustainable crop production and soil health management. John is passionate about integrating modern technology with traditional farming methods to enhance productivity while preserving the environment. He currently works as a consultant, helping farmers adopt sustainable practices.