According to the latest situation report for the period ending November 17th, two new events were recorded from the previous period with a recurrence of ASF in Asia (Bhutah, Nov 2nd) and in Russia (Oct 29th & Nov 6th). Further, new outbreaks in regions with on-going events were reported in Asia (Malaysia & Thailand), as well as seven European countries (Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Romania and Russia).
Total outbreaks were recorded at 35 in domestic swine and 128 in the wild boar population, with losses at 615 in farmed pigs and 193 in feral hogs. Total domestic pig losses which include animal deaths or kill/disposed of as a result of ASF (though not culled for prevention) were recorded at 808 in the latest situation report, brining the total to more than 2.0 million farmed swine losses since the start of 2020. Notably, 1.5 million of these losses were recorded in the European region—where ASF outbreaks have been spread by the wild boar population.
While no further outbreaks or cases of ASF have been reported in the Americas, countries in the region continue to develop programs to support ASF prevention efforts. Given that 60-70% of Canada’s produced pork is exported and 30% of that is exported to the US, the risk to the country’s hog industry is significant. The proactive approach taken by the federal government to prevent ASF from entering the country and prepare for a potential outbreak has been welcomed by those in the industry.
The federal government announced $45 million in funding back in August to help the Canadian hog industry prevent the occurrence of and mitigate the potential spread of ASF in the country. Of the total, nearly half of the overall funding has been allocated to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s African Swine Fever Industry Preparedness Program (or ASFIPP for short). The ASFIPP is intended to improve biosecurity assessments, wild pig management, and retrofit existing abattoirs, among other ASF-related research projects. Up to another $20 million will be invested into the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to create the necessary supports for improved laboratory capacity and establish zoning arrangements with trade partners in the event of ASF outbreaks reported domestically.