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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 27th September 2024
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Measures introduced to protect UK from African swine fever
Outbreaks have been seen in many European countries.
The disease is circulating in Europe.

The UK government has introduced new measures to protect the UK from African swine fever (ASF).

The new rules, which come into force today (27 September 2024), are designed to prevent ASF being brought into the UK through infected meat.

To this end, personal imports of pork and pork products from the European Economic Area, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Switzerland are now banned unless the products are manufactured and packaged to EU commercial standards and weigh less than a maximum of 2kg.

Anyone breaking the law may be fined up to £5,000 in England, and the products will be seized and destroyed.

Although the UK has never had an outbreak of ASF, the disease is circulating in continental Europe.

This year, outbreaks of ASF in domestic pigs have been reported in Croatia, Germany, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, and Ukraine, and in wild boar in the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Russia, Sweden and Ukraine according to the World Organisation for Animal Health.

The UK’s pig industry is worth around £8 billion and it is estimated that an outbreak of ASF could cost the UK between £10 million to £100 million.

Baroness Hayman, biosecurity minister, said: “African swine fever is a deadly disease wreaking havoc in Europe.

“These new measures will protect British pig farmers and pork products, preventing infected meat from being brought over the border and threatening our biosecurity.”

Image © Shutterstock

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BEVA gives RVNs right to vote

News Story 1
 The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) is to allow its registered veterinary nurse (RVN) members the right to vote.

RVN members will now be able to take part in key decision-making processes and stand for BEVA council.

Marie Rippingale, chair of BEVA's Nurse Committee, said: "I am very proud to be a part of BEVA.

"This change will help to empower nurses to speak up and contribute, but more importantly, it will give them an opportunity to collaborate with other members of the equine veterinary profession to bring about change that is positive for all." 

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News Shorts
Bluetongue vaccines comparison table produced for vets

The Ruminant Health and Welfare Group has produced a comparison table on the vaccines available in the UK for bluetongue virus serotype 3.

The three vaccines, which have been permitted for use by the secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, claim to reduce symptoms rather than prevent animals from catching the disease.

The table looks at a range of different factors for each vaccine, including their use in sheep and cattle, their use during pregnancy, adverse events, and storage requirements.

The comparisons have been compiled by Flock Health in collaboration with the British Veterinary Association, the British Cattle Veterinary Association, the Sheep Veterinary Society, the British Deer Veterinary Association, the British Camelid Association, and the Goat Vet Society.

The comparison table, and further information on the bluetongue vaccines, can be accessed here.