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Poland and Germany discuss measures to contain ASF spread
Germany is Europe's biggest pig producrer and a major exporter of pork.

Ministers considering border fences and increased hunting

Following the discovery of African Swine Fever (ASF) just 12km away from the German border, Poland and Germany are now in discussions to prevent further spread of the disease, including the erection of border fences and the increased hunting of wild boar.


According to Reuters, Germany’s agriculture minister Julia Klockner met with Poland’s agriculture minister Jan Krzysztof Ardanowski in Berlin last week to discuss measures to jointly curb the outbreak.


Germany has already relaxed some restrictions on wild board hunting, but the ministers are reported to be considering a “drastic reduction in the wild boar density, for example through shooting as an effective preventative measure.” 

Ministers are also said to be discussing a fence along the border of Poland to prevent infected will boar from entering Germany. 


The World Health Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) notes there were 55 outbreaks of wild boar in Poland in December, including some cases that were close to the German border.

As Europe’s biggest pig producer and a major exporter of pork, the German Ministry states that ‘an incursion of ASF into Germany would have severe implications for the animals as well as for the economy. An incursion into the wild boar population would be critical since possibilities to control the disease are limited.’ 


The German states of Saxony and Brandenburg have already put up fences also the Polish border to stop wild boar from roaming into Germany.

German ministers are also considering new regulations allowing temporary anti-wild boar fencing to be set up to cordon off an area should a case occur. 

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.