A UK wide exercise that simulates an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) will take place today (Thursday 22nd of July) to test the Government’s contingency plans to contain and eliminate the disease in the event that it reached the UK.
The exercise which is named “Exercise Holly” will see the Animal and Plant Health Agency, Defra, Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland working together to test and develop the UK’s contingency plan.
The exercise takes on extra significance this week as the virus has been detected in domestic pigs in Germany for the first time.
ASF is a highly contagious disease of pigs but there is no threat to human health. The disease has had a devastating impact on pig production in China and the Far East and is also moving from eastern Europe towards the west, it is now present in Belgium. The disease spreads from pig to pig but pigs can also be infected from contaminated pig meat products.
In a joint statement, the UK’s four Chief Veterinary Officers said:
“The risk of ASF arriving in the UK is ever present and would have a devastating impact on our pigs and pig keepers if it ever reached our shores. We regularly test our contingency plans in this way to ensure that we are ready to respond to potential future disease outbreaks."
Menter Moch Cymru have been supporting Welsh Government in preparation for the virtual exercise, Exercise Holly, which starts on Thursday July 22 and will conclude on Friday July 23. The Menter Moch Cymru project was able to give details of the size and structure of the Welsh sector and suggest the possible risk factors for ASF introduction.
Melanie Cargill, Menter Moch Cymru Project Manager said:
“We’re delighted to have been able to support Government prepare for this important exercise. This is a very serious disease, which could have disastrous implications for the sector. Its therefore vital that all pig keepers remain vigilant, are aware of the symptoms, and to check with their vet is they are unsure.
Further information on ASF is available on the Menter Moch Cymru and the Welsh Government websites. Menter Moch Cymru has also recently produced a useful factsheet on all the notifiable diseases in Pigs, which includes details of ASF.
“This is a good opportunity to remind all Welsh pig farmers of the importance of biosecurity and the danger of feeding anything that may be contaminated with meat or any other animal product. This is why feeding kitchen waste to pigs is illegal.
“There is also the possibility of members of the public feeding outdoor pigs without being aware of the ASF risk. To help address this, Menter Moch Cymru provides advisory signage free for pig keepers to use to promote biosecurity and tell members of the public not to feed anything to pigs.”
Menter Moch Cymru is funded by the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.