News

African swine fever discovered in Slovakia

Slovakia is the latest country to confirm the presence of African swine fever.

Officials of the Slovakian Veterinary and Food Administration say the disease was discovered on a backyard farm in a province close to the border of Hungary and Ukraine.  ASF has been in both countries for several years.

Meanwhile, efforts to protect the U.S. hog herd continue.

Minnesota Pork CEO David Preisler tells Brownfield he’s pleased with steps taken by USDA and the Customs and Border Patrol.

“From a standpoint of adding dogs at the borders. We’ve also been actively lobbying our federal government to add more agricultural inspectors at the border, because to keep (ASF) out is the ultimate goal.”

African swine fever has spread across Eastern Europe and Asia.  Since its discovery in China one year ago, it’s estimated about 30 percent of the Chinese hog herd has been lost to ASF.