Spain: Importing piglets from Central Europe is considered dangerous

As a measure against the introduction of African swine fever (ASF) to the Iberian Peninsula, the large Spanish farmers' association COAG has called for a reduction in imports of piglets from Central Europe. The farmers' association warned that the import of 200,000 piglets to Spain each month is equivalent to "Russian Roulette" for the sector. A single case of ASF can undo the great efforts of a sector that has managed to occupy a high position in the market. In the case of imports from abroad, the high level of biosecurity offered by Spanish pig farmers on their farms does not help either. At stake is export worth over EUR 7.7.5 billion per year and 450 thousand. jobs. A particularly big problem for the association is the current situation related to ASF in Germany. Mainly imported from the Netherlands It is true that 90 percent of the piglets imported to Spain came from the Netherlands. Nevertheless, the animal health risk is high due to the proximity to Germany. COAG also ...