African Swine Fever Outbreak Threatens Western EU Farms With Huge Losses
SputnikNews.com
15.09.2018
The highly contagious disease, which has severely afflicted the agriculture business in Eastern Europe over the last several years, has now been found in the western parts of the EU, potentially threatening a ban on meat exports being imposed on local firms.
At least two cases of African swine fever (ASF) have been registered in Belgium, as pigs infected with the virus have been found there. It is unclear so far how the disease made its way to Western Europe, after having hurt the agricultural sector in the eastern part of the EU.
The highly contagious disease, which has severely afflicted the agriculture business in Eastern Europe over the last several years, has now been found in the western parts of the EU, potentially threatening a ban on meat exports being imposed on local firms.
At least two cases of African swine fever (ASF) have been registered in Belgium, as pigs infected with the virus have been found there. It is unclear so far how the disease made its way to Western Europe, after having hurt the agricultural sector in the eastern part of the EU.
Neighboring France’s Ministry of Agriculture has issued a caution as to how the disease is spread and promised that the government would give a proper response to the threat to the country’s agricultural sector. France’s agriculture minister also called for tightened controls over farms that neighbor affected regions in Belgium and for restrictions on hunting.
