Simple Summary
The Danish pig industry, in collaboration with the authorities, has implemented several risk-reducing measures to prevent the introduction of African Swine Fever into Danish pig production. Ongoing risk assessments are conducted to adjust or establish new measures. The first outbreaks in a new area in Northern Europe often occur in wild boar, likely due to discarded food waste at rest areas and in forested areas. A fence has been established on the Danish–German border to limit the migration of wild boar from Germany to Denmark, and the limited population of wild boar in Denmark has been culled. All trucks that transport pigs or cattle are cleaned and disinfected at the border if they have been abroad, according to the DANISH Transportstandard. Through continuous contact with the feed industry, changes in the importation of feedstuffs and other auxiliaries are analyzed, and risk assessments for each feed item are conducted. Based on this, according to the Danish Product Standard, it is not permitted to store or use feed items such as hay, straw, silage, or bedding imported from areas with outbreaks of African Swine Fever on Danish properties with pigs. These types of feed items can contain parts of dead animals in which the virus can survive for a long time. Oil cakes, fats, and oils imported from countries with African Swine Fever may only be used after heat treatment.
Abstract
African Swine Fever poses a significant threat to pig production. An outbreak in Denmark would have severe economic consequences, potentially resulting in a loss between 335 million and 670 million euros. To mitigate the major risk factors, the Danish authorities and the Danish pig industry have implemented several risk-reducing measures. The small wild boar population in Danish nature has been culled, and a fence between Denmark and Germany has been constructed to stop or reduce the risk of migrating wild boar from Germany. All trucks arriving from abroad, intended for the transport of Danish pigs, are inspected, washed, and disinfected at facilities near the border before being allowed to transport pigs between herds or from herds out of Denmark. Cross-border trade of feedstuffs and potentially risky materials is continuously monitored. Based on risk assessments, feed types or bedding materials from countries with African Swine Fever that could contain parts of wild boar are banned from Danish pig herds. Certain types of fats and oils from countries with African Swine Fever can only be used after heat treatment. The import of whole kernels of corn, wheat, or barley is not considered a risk.