Michaela Giles explains the dangers posed to our pig population by the threat of African Swine Fever, as this worrying disease creeps ever closer to the UK
There surely can’t be many UK pig keepers still unaware of the potential threat posed by the prospect of African Swine Fever (ASF) entering the UK even though, as things stand, we remain free from the virus that causes the disease.
There’s plenty going on to keep everyone informed and up to speed on developments, and any of you who regularly use the internet to help feed your passion for pigs, can’t fail to have noticed that all the major, pig-orientated websites are now publishing regular updates on the spread of ASF through mainland Europe
In addition, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has organised a working group of experts to help tackle the disease, while the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has just launched a refreshed #cateringwasteban campaign. This is intended to highlight the absolute need to keep this potentially devastating disease out of the UK, by not feeding any waste that has passed through a domestic or catering kitchen. Also, to further emphasis the seriousness of the risk, Defra recently raised the risk level of ASF entering the UK.
Historical problems
There have been numerous, documented outbreaks across Europe that have linked the spread of ASF to certain human activities. However, the disease first found its way into Europe (Portugal) from Africa way back in 1957, thanks to international catering waste being fed to wild pigs near Lisbon airport. However, this and most other cases in Europe pre-1995, were controlled and subsequently eliminated from domesticated pig and wild boar populations. The one exception was in Sardinia, where the ASF virus remains (endemic) as the pigs are primarily kept completely free-ranging, living alongside wild boar.
Continue reading your story on the app
Continue reading your story in the magazine
Sailing To Success!
Former yacht captain Mark Terry, and his partner April, an ex-corporate lawyer, have settled on the stunning island of Guernsey and established a successful charcuterie business. This is their story
Vital Awareness
Michaela Giles spotlights the latest campaigns aimed at raising awareness among keepers about the threats posed to their pigs by two serious diseases
Small Appetites!
Joanna Palmer, nutritionist for Smallholder Range, offers some practical advice on how best to feed the smaller pig breeds and best meet their nutritional needs.
Cause For Concern
Michaela Giles explains the dangers posed to our pig population by the threat of African Swine Fever, as this worrying disease creeps ever closer to the UK
Pointed Remarks
Tusks grow on both male and female pigs and, as Michaela Giles explains, need to be understood and managed by anyone keeping older pigs
Buying Guide: Welsh
Chris Graham introduces a breed of pig which he argues can offer keepers at all levels just about all they could ever wish for
Be Ready!
Experienced keeper Michaela Giles advises that it’s never too early to start thinking about winter, and how best to shepherd your pigs safely through it
Community Keeping
Chris Graham spends an enjoyable afternoon in deepest Suffolk, with enthusiastic members of the successful, Debenham Pig Club
Woodland Wonders
Chris Graham meets Vicky Quick, and her second batch of much-loved and greatly-appreciated, native breed pigs
Dangerous Diamonds!
Michaela Giles explains the ins and outs of Erysipelas, the serious threat it poses and how best to deal with it
4x4 Protection
An in-depth look at why and how to up-armor your off-road vehicle
La luz de la esperanza
Asfixia, de Kenya Márquez, echa un vistazo a la discriminación
Duterte declares state of calamity due to ASF
Citing the more than P100 billion in losses to the local hog sector and related industries, President Duterte has placed the entire country under a state of calamity due to the outbreak of African swine fever (ASF).
Las instituciones anticorrupción, en entredicho
El choque entre la Auditoría Superior de la Federación y el gobierno federal por la revisión de la cuenta pública 2019 dejó maltrecha la confianza en el órgano fiscalizador del Poder Legislativo, pero también en la Secretaría de la Función Pública. A esta dependencia, encabezada por Irma Eréndira Sandoval, se le hicieron observaciones que ponen en entredicho la “austeridad republicana” en el rubro de contratación de personal y la idoneidad del perfil de los nuevos funcionarios.
Diputados indagarán presuntas presiones políticas a la ASF
Aunque el presidente López Obrador pidió a la Cámara de Diputados investigar “las equívocas afirmaciones de la Auditoría Superior de la Federación” sobre los costos de cancelar el proyecto del aeropuerto de Texcoco, la primera irregularidad que investigará la Comisión de Vigilancia de San Lázaro será el comunicado en que la ASF admite que ese cálculo es erróneo. La razón: dicha retractación está fuera de procedimiento, ya que los entes auditados pueden responder al informe, por lo que se indagará si los auditores fueron sometidos a presiones políticas.
IATF OKs ‘hog lanes' to control ASF spread
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has given assurance of unhampered transporting of hog shipments from the Visayas and Mindanao to avert possible shortages of pork and poultry due to the adverse impact of African swine fever (ASF) in Metro Manila and greater Luzon.
ASF to further push up pork, chicken prices
Consumers would have to further tighten their belts as prices of pork and even chicken show no signs of going down, especially now that African swine fever (ASF) has crept into the Visayas.
The other viral outbreak
Different vaccines against COVID-19 are finally coming out, promising an end to this once-in-a-century global scourge. There is another viral pestilence, however, that continues to call for urgent containment.
Procedures prevent black-grass spread
Cleaning machinery at harvest can, understandably, fall by the wayside as pressure mounts. But failing to find the time to blow-down the combine, bailer, trailer and other machinery can spread black-grass between fields and increase production costs for years to come.
Pemex, un quebranto lentamente fraguado
Durante la gestión de Enrique Peña Nieto la administración de Pemex fue una calamidad, según se desprende de las auditorías de la Cuenta Pública de 2018, cuando experimentó pérdidas patrimoniales por 1 billón 7 mil millones de pesos, lo que pone en riesgo su contribución fiscal. A las compras fraudulentas de empresas chatarra como Agronitrogenados y el huachicoleo consentido desde el interior de la empresa, se suma la corrupción desmedida que hoy tiene en prisión a varios exdirectivos.