Meeting on African Swine Fever at the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture

Last week (29.07.2024), a meeting on African Swine Fever (ASF) was hosted by the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture. The meeting provided an overview of the current situation of the disease spread and discussed measures to completely eradicate the disease among wild boars and prevent outbreaks in domestic pig farms.

The meeting was opened by the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, Piret Hartman, who praised and thanked the parties for their successful cooperation so far. The minister also confirmed that the proposals made during the discussion would be further analyzed. Participants in the meeting included representatives from the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, the Agriculture and Food Board, LABRIS, the Estonian Hunters' Society, the Environmental Board, the Estonian Pig Breeding Association, and the pig farming sector. There was a lively discussion about the problems hindering the complete eradication of ASF in Estonia and various solutions were proposed.

Imbi Nurmoja, Deputy Director for Animal Health at LABRIS, represented LABRIS at the meeting. She discussed LABRIS's role in combating ASF, reminded what has been learned from the disease during the epidemic years, and introduced the progress made in developing an ASF vaccine by the consortium (VACDIVA), of which LABRIS is a partner. Currently, there is no treatment or vaccine for ASF, so there are high expectations for the development of a safe and effective vaccine.

ASF is a highly dangerous animal disease affecting domestic and wild pigs, and it has been spreading in Estonia since September 2014. Based on past experience, summer is the most dangerous time for pig farms, as all ASF outbreaks in domestic pigs from 2015-2023 have been diagnosed during the summer period (June-September).

For more information visit the VACDIVA project website: https://vacdiva.eu/

Photo: ASF in Europe. Restriction zones according to EC Regulation 2023/594 as of 26.07.24
Source: food.ec.europa.eu website

For additional information: Imbi Nurmoja Deputy Director for Animal Health Phone: +372 738 6126; +372 515 5026 Email: imbi.nurmoja@labris.agri.ee

Additional information:
Imbi Nurmoja
Deputy Director (animal health)
tel +372 515 5026
email imbi.nurmoja@labris.agri.ee