Belgium asks hunters to stay away from ASF infected areas

At the start of the hunting season, the Belgium Federal Agency for the Protection of the Foodchain (FAVV) has asked hunters to be extra vigilant for African Swine Fever (ASF) and to keep out of areas where ASF infected wild swine have been found. ‘Do not bring with you any meat, hunting trophies or products of wild swine from risk areas to prevent the disease from spreading to the country’, FAVV adds.

Belgium had its last ASF cases in 2018. “No less than 28 non-EU countries decided to stop the import of Belgium pork into their territories. 70% of that third-countries’ export market vanished. It took years of negotiations with many of those countries before they lifted their embargo,” federal minister for agriculture David Clarinval stated. ASF does not only affect the wild swine population but can also damage the professional pig sector in Belgium, according to the FAVV.

This summer, a large number of ASF cases were found near Frankfurt in Germany at just 200 kilometers from the border with Belgium, FAVV says. The agency therefore released what it calls a serious warning to hunters. “Hunters that come in contact with wild swine are strongly encouraged to strictly follow all hygiene guidelines. Do not enter a pig holding within 72 hours of being in contact with a wild or dead swine. Also, within those 72 hours, do not go hunting in a different area elsewhere. Take care that all clothing and equipment is thoroughly cleaned before returning to Belgium. Disinfect hunting equipment as well as vehicles and shoes after the hunt is finished. Get information about the actual situation and the do’s and dont’s in the area you want to go hunting in. Report suspected cases and situations immediately to the FAVV. We ask all hunters to be alert and to cooperate to protect the health of our pigs and the wild swine populations.”

Tags: Federal Agency for the Protection of the Foodchain, FAVV, hunters, wild swine, African Swine Fever, Belgium, ASF