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China bans German pork imports following ASF confirmation
The new case of ASF identified in Brandenburg, Germany, was just 30km away from the last indentified case in Poland.

Trade implications may not be as serious as initially feared. 

China and South Korea have banned pork imports from Germany after a case of African swine fever (ASF) was confirmed in a wild boar, just six kilometres away from the Polish border.

According to the National Pig Association, Singapore, Brazil, Japan and Argentina have also banned German pork exports in the wake of the positive test, made in the eastern state of Brandenburg on Thursday (10 September).


As one of the world’s largest exporters of pork, German authorities had feared that a confirmed case could damage trade, with a wider effect on the EU. But AHDB analyst Bethan Wilkins reports that the implications might not be a serious as first thought, owing to the amount of pork the EU has exported to China over the past 18 months.

The case in Germany was confirmed by the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute in a decayed carcase, suggesting the infection took place several weeks ago. The Institute said that entry by a migrating wild boar was unlikely, but the introduction by humans via contaminated food ‘cannot be ruled out’.

Since the discovery, Germany authorities have introduced several measures to prevent further spread of the disease, including a fenced exclusion zone of three kilometres around the infection site. NPA executive Zoe Davis said the situation was ‘very worrying’ but stressed that Germany was well prepared to cope with the eventuality:

“We hope that the German authorities are able to quickly contain the spread of the virus and keep it out of domestic pigs so that any trading restrictions are kept to a minimum,” she said. “However, it will take at least two years to regain official ASF-free status due to the testing requirements to prove ASF has been eradicated from wild boar.”

This latest discovery highlights the continuing spread of ASF across Europe and the rest of the world.
Historically, outbreaks have been reported across Africa and parts of Europe, South America and the Caribbean. In recent years, however, the disease has devastated pig populations across much of Asia, Africa and parts of Europe. The new case in Brandenburg was found a mere 30km away from the last confirmed case of ASF in Poland.

There has never been an outbreak of ASF in the UK, but Defra and the APHA are closely monitoring the situation to assess the risk to the UK pig population. The disease can be spread if healthy pigs consume infectious meat, have contact with other infected pigs, or have contact with anything contaminated with the virus.

Hopes for a vaccine against ASF were raised earlier this year when a trial by the Pirbright Institute revealed that a vaccine could protect against a lethal dose of the virus in 100 per cent of pigs.

 

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Free bloat webinar planned for dog owners

News Story 1
 The Kennel Club is inviting dog owners to attend a free webinar on gastric dilation-volvulus syndrome, also known as bloat.

Part of its health webinar series, the session will take place from 7pm to 8pm on 12 November. It will explore what scientific research has revealed about causes, symptoms, breed susceptibilities, diagnostic approaches, and treatment options, as well as looking at what future research could uncover.

The talk will be hosted by Mark Dunning, professor of small animal internal medicine at the University of Nottingham, and will include a 30-minute Q&A session.

Places can be booked here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
FIVP to represent independent practices at London Vet Show

The Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices (FIVP) will be at stand (S05) at this year's London Vet Show.

The not-for-profit organisation will be explaining how its expertise and resources can help independent practices to thrive in a competitive industry. It will also share how it has been representing independent practices in the ongoing CMA investigation.

On Thursday, FIVP member Steve Carter will be available to discuss how veterinary surgeons and nurses can pursue practice ownership.

FIVP will also be offering independent practices three months of free membership if they sign up at the stand.

Rita Dingwall, FIVP business development manager, said: "It's a wonderful opportunity to discuss our representation in the CMA enquiry and connect with like-minded individuals who share our passion for independent practice."