World Organisation of Animal Health (OIE) Confirms: Belgium has regained its ASF-free status

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - Media OutReach - 29 December 2020 - On 21 December 2020, the World Organisation of Animal Health (OIE) confirmed the ASF-free status in all suidae of Belgium, which had been removed since September 2018 due to the outbreak of ASF in the wild boar population. Prior to the OIE publication, Belgium's FASFC (Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain) provided the OIE with all necessary data which proved that Belgium has been ASF-free for more than one year: a necessary condition to claiming the status of being ASF-free. Throughout this entire period, Belgium was successful in keeping its domestic herd of pigs ASF-free.

Official declaration by the OIE

DECISIVE AND CONSISTENT ACTIONS HAVE LED TO THE ERADICATION OF ASF IN THE WILD BOAR POPULATION

From the start of the outbreak in September 2018, Belgium's strategy was to eradicate ASF (African Swine Fever) in the wild boar population. A wide variety of measures and actions were taken. Fencing, forests closed to the public, intensive search and destroy programme, hunting and trapping--all proved to be key success factors in achieving this goal.

In just one year, no new positive cases were detected. In total 5,422 wild boars were examined for ASF, of which 833 were confirmed positive for ASF. The last positive case confirmed on a fresh wild boar carcass dates from 11 August 2019.

MOST IMPORTANT:

DOMESTIC HERD WAS KEPT SAFE AND ASF-FREE AT ALL TIMES

Belgium is one of Europe's key pork producers, exporting more than two-thirds of its pork production. To protect this important sector, it was crucial to prevent the disease from infecting the domestic herd.

On top of the comprehensive bio-security rules that were already in place, extra measures were implemented. This means, amongst other things, that every sick pig must be tested for ASF, regardless of the symptoms. To date, the number of samplings, all negative, amounts to more than 22,000--and still counting.

VIA CONTINUOUS MONITORING AND CONTROL, ALERTNESS REMAINS HIGH

Despite the regained ASF-free status, Belgium will keep monitoring for animal diseases in the future, both in the domestic herd as well as in the wild population. The surveillance and control measures remain in force for the time being.

EUROPEAN LAW HAD ALREADY REINSTATED BELGIUM'S ASF-FREE STATUS

The OIE publication follows the decision by the European Commission on 20 November 2020 to abolish the regulated zones that were put in place after the outbreak of the virus in wild boar.

BELGIAN PORK WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE AGAIN, WORLDWIDE

Over the last few decades, Belgium has exported pork to more than 70 countries. As Belgium communicates transparently with its trading partners around the world, importing countries will soon be provided with all information necessary to allow trade to resume.

"It is a relief to the Belgian pork suppliers that the OIE has published Belgium's ASF-free status. Importing countries will be provided with all information necessary so that they can lift ASF-related restrictions.

Excellent news for importers!"

Contact your Belgian pork supplier

Full information about Belgian pork can be found on: europeanpork.eu | artofmeat.eu | belgianmeat.com

Or contact Belgian Meat Office.

About Belgian Meat Office

Belgian Meat Office coordinates pork and beef export activities. The meat export agency was founded in 2003 under the Flanders' Agricultural Marketing Board (VLAM) umbrella.