Belgium: appeal to hunters not to hunt in ASF risk areas

Now that hunting season has officially begun, FAVV is asking hunters to be especially vigilant about African Swine Fever (ASF). This summer, dozens of ASF cases were detected within 200 kilometers of the Belgian border, near Frankfurt. Several cases were also recorded in Italy. Hunters who come into contact with wild boars are urged to strictly adhere to hygiene measures. It is essential not to take wild boar meat and products from areas where ASF is present. A hunter may not enter a pig farm for 72 hours after contact with a live or dead wild boar. The disease is not only harmful to the wild boar population, but also to pig farming in Belgium. David Clarinval, Federal Minister for Agriculture: “ASF last appeared in Belgium in 2018. Around 29 third countries imposed restrictions on the trade of Belgian pork into their territory. As a result, around 70% of this export market in third countries has disappeared. It took years of ...