The installation of fences in outdoor pig farms in European areas with ASF could reduce risks by half
Free-range pig farming is common in the European Union. However, there is no European legislation to classify such farms, so the information available is limited, not harmonized, and must be interpreted with care.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has assessed the risk of spreading African swine fever (ASF) in pig farms in the open air and has proposed biosecurity and control measures for farms of this type in areas of the Union. Europe affected by ASF.
Fences and biosecurity
The Expert Group on Animal Health and Welfare concluded that pig farms in the open-air carry a considerable risk of introduction and spread of ASF, but estimated that the installation of solid single fences or double fences in all pig farms at the same time Outdoors in areas of the EU where ASF is present could reduce this risk by at least 50%.
In addition, conducting comprehensive and objective biosecurity assessments on farms and approving pig farms in the open air based on their biosecurity risk would further reduce the risk of introduction and spread. On-farm assessments are a powerful tool to improve biosecurity and address broader issues related to animal husbandry.
EFSA recommends that exceptions to the current restrictions on free-range pig farming in areas affected by ASF be considered on a case-by-case basis if the above-mentioned measures and other specified biosecurity measures have been applied.
The scientific advice has been based on evidence collected from national veterinary authorities, farmers' associations, and the scientific literature. In addition, an Expert Knowledge Gain (EKE) exercise was carried out to group pig farms in the open-air based on their risk of introduction and spread of ASF, to rank biosecurity measures according to their effectiveness, and to propose improvements in biosafety matters.
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