German ASF should be a warning to UK

No cases have been found in domestic pigs, but cases have been confirmed in wild boar.

NFU Scotland has warned it should serve a reminder the UK needs to be taking the disease seriously.

The Brandenburg region has been on an intensive search for cases and was utilising helicopters with thermal imaging cameras and drones, as well as search teams.

NFUS pigs chairman Jamie Wyllie said while the disease only affects pigs, not humans, that does not mean it should not be a concern.

“The disease causes up to 100 per cent mortality in pigs and there is currently no known cure. It can stay active for over a year in meat products even after the curing process,” he said.

China

He added about 40 per cent of the meat eaten by humans was from pigs and 19 per cent of the UK diet is meat. If pork production was to be halted by ASF, this would have a major impact on the food security.

And while it may seem unlikely every farm would be hit if ASF was brought to the UK, Mr Wyllie highlighted China had reportedly lost more than 50 per cent of its commercial pig herd.

With the UK 39 times smaller than China and with parts of the country densely populated with pigs, Mr Wyllie said it could devastate UK pig production.