UK sets restrictions on pork imports to protect pig industry against African swine fever

By: Trademagazin editor Date: 2022. 09. 09. 06:02

The UK has implemented strict guidelines on the import of pork and related products from the EU to mitigate the spread of African swine fever (ASF) within its borders. The decision comes after a call to action by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) through a risk assessment of ASF entering the country, placing it at ‘medium risk.’

African swine fever has negative impacts on the pork trade industry

African swine fever is rising again, spreading through European countries, namely France, Italy, Germany and The Netherlands. The last major outbreak in the EU was in November 2019. In order to reduce the spread of the disease in the pig population in Great Britain, starting on the 1st of September, it was made illegal to bring in all pork and pork products that weigh over two kilograms.

The spread of ASF has left major impacts on countries already affected. Transmission of the disease has caused thousands of pigs to die and significant disruptions in the pork trading industry. EU pig exports are predicted to decrease by 9.6% in 2022. This decline will have harsh financial effects on the pork industry inside the EU and globally.

There is no vaccine for ASF to date. In 2021, the USDA had a breakthrough for a potential vaccine, but it eventually failed. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) launched a campaign to raise awareness of African swine fever in 2020. They did so in order to bring people’s attention toward the physical and economic consequences of the disease.

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