EU Strategy for ASF OIE-CIC-FACE TRAINING COURSE 18 DECEMBER 2017 Francesco Berlingieri European Commission - DG SANTE Unite G3 Animal health - crisis management
ASF situation in the EU in 2014
ASF situation in the EU in 2015
ASF situation in the EU in 2016
ASF 2016/ 2017 (ADNS & Empres -i data)
2014 2017 ASF data (EFSA Report - Epidemiological analyses of African swine fever Oct 2017)
Human mediated spread (EFSA Report - Epidemiological analyses of African swine fever Oct 2017)
EU main tools for ASF control EU fully harmonised veterinary legislation The specific ASF control Directive ASF Contingency plans ASF regionalisation The ASF EU Reference Laboratory diagnostic manual The EU co-financing of emergency measures and eradication programmes Enforcement FVO audits The Community Veterinary Emergency Team - CVET Better training for safer food BTSF Scientific advise EFSA scientific opinions International cooperation OIE/FAO GF-TADSs EU research projects - RTD
Regionalisation for ASF Commission Implementing Decision of 9 October 2014 (2014/709/EU) Updated by Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/2267 of 7 December 2017
ASF Strategy Wild boar management: long term Hunting Feeding wild boar Carcasses Awareness Human factor: short term Awareness Enforcement swill feeding ban No feeding pigs with potentially contaminated grass/feeding stuff Biosecurity strengthened Hunter vs farming: behaviour risks
Biosecurity criteria include: PIG Farms No contact between pig and feral pigs or wild boar. Pigs should be kept in a way that ensures that there is no direct, neither indirect, contact with other pigs outside the premises nor with wild boar. No contact to any part of feral pigs (including hunted or dead wild boar/meat/by-products). No hunting activity should be carried out 48h prior being in contact with pigs.
Wild boar density No minimum threshold identified Lower densities reduce ASF transmission rate In EU density has been increasing in the past 40y EFSA opinion 2015 on ASF
EFSA opinion 2015 on ASF
Wild boar management Important shortcoming in increasing hunting Dispersal of wild boar Compensatory wild boar movements Biosecurity in hunting Gradual approach needed (medium-long term) Non dispersal of wild boar Hunting bag: selective, priority to females Carcass removal disposal: fast
Wild boar management Feeding ban for wild boar: Feed ban to be enforced Baiting foreseeable but limited to 10kg/km2/month Feeding places and feed for other species (hay ok) Objective: reduction of wild boar population (i.e. not facilitating survival of wild boar) Where? Areas at risk of ASF
Biosecurity during hunting
Biosecurity during hunting Biosecurity principles during hunting At least one dedicated authorised dressing facility per hunting ground freezers & identification of carcasses Hunted wild boar should remain in the premises of the hunting ground until tested Offal from hunted wild boar should not be removed from the animal in the field Animal by products should be collected and processed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009.
Surveillance Sampling in the whole country should be based on enhanced passive surveillance: all found dead and sick wild boar have to be tested. Additional sampling (active surveillance) from hunted animals to be performed in restricted areas. From hunted animals only blood samples should be requested (organs in case of blood samples unavailable)
Awareness 1 st step is to understand the risks. To encourage the participation of hunters in the strategy. Emphasis should be given to the need to respect biosecurity measures during hunting and the restrictions for movement of wild boar products. Info material displayed at the main transit areas (ports, airports and major communication axis) informing hunters and travellers of the bans imposed by the ASF regionalisation.
Role of hunters Hunters are key players in wild boar management! Active surveillance: hunting wild boar for testing for ASF in selected areas Passive surveillance: finding wild boar carcasses for testing & destruction Targeted hunting of females: in selected areas Awareness to prevent spreading the disease
Conclusions Management of wild boar key issue this is where the challenge lies Need for coordination at local, national and regional level between Hunters veterinary services forestry management bodies ASF was already eradicated from Spain and Portugal it can be done!
Thank you for your attention! ASF Strategy for Eastern Part of the EU: http://ec.europa.eu/food/sites/food/files/animals/docs/ad_control-measures_asf_wrk-docsante-2015-7113.pdf