Five Balkan countries develop a short-term strategy
September 19, 2023
2 minutes of reading
Bulgaria organized a round table on the theme of African swine fever, inviting the Balkan countries, Serbia, Romania, Greece and North Macedonia. a press release from the Bulgarian food safety authority BFSA.
The two-day meeting in Sofia focused on African swine fever, national epidemiological situation, challenges and control measures. It was organized by the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency.
During the meeting, national experts presented the disease situation in their respective countries and shared their first encounter with the PPA. They also discussed the progress of the disease so far. Complications of epidemics, prevention and response measures, information campaigns and established best practices for disease prevention and control were among the highlights discussed by experts from the five countries.
The main conclusion reached by the participants is that due to the drastic and continued spread of African swine fever in some regions, including the re-emergence in areas that were previously free, it is necessary and important to join efforts countries in the region and ensure adequate resources to prevent, control and eradicate the disease. The parties should actively cooperate, implement a common supervisory approach and transparently exchange information on the current situation and measures against ASF.
A comprehensive and robust surveillance system, early detection and reporting are essential to the ASF prevention, control and eradication strategy. There is a need to ensure engagement and coordination across sectors (governmental and non-governmental institutions and organizations) in affected countries, as well as those at risk, for the prevention, control and eradication of the disease. Broad information and ongoing training of all interested parties are essential.
Experts agreed that biosecurity systems and compliance are essential to prevent the introduction and spread of ASF in commercial and non-commercial pig farms. Preventive culling in non-commercial pig farms with weak biosecurity measures in high-risk areas should be considered as part of the strategy to prevent and control the spread of the disease.
Representatives of the five countries agreed that it was necessary to develop a long-term strategy for the management of the wild boar population in the context of combating ASF, which should be considered according to the situation of each country and the general approach needed to control the disease, particularly at borders between countries.
Finally, the experts discussed the involvement of farmers and hunters in the prevention, control and eradication of ASF.
