Belgium to create ASF buffer zone by culling 4,000 pigs
Belgian authorities decided to create a buffer zone around the area where 9 wild boars were found infected with ASF virus. The buffer zone is to cover 63,000 hectares and 4,000 domesticated pigs are to be culled, announced Belgian Agriculture Minister Denis Ducarme, who has already prepared a decree.
The area is located in the southern part of the country, from Florenville, via Habay to Arlon and to the border, affecting 58 farms present there.
The number of pigs that are going to be culled is considered small compared with the country's pig population of 6.5 million. Luckily, the largest farms, holding 94% of the country's pig population, are situated in the north, informs Fleischwirtschaft magazine.
Two weeks ago, Belgium reported the first case of ASF on a wild boar. Since then, other nine wild animals were found sick or dead in an area bordering France and Germany. 13 countries have already restricted pork imports from Belgium, despite the fact that the Belgian Chief Veterinary Officer declared that no cases of ASF have been reported at the domesticated pigs.
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