African swine fever: Expansion of the Surveillance Area

A decree published today by the Ministry of Agriculture regarding African swine fever expands the boundaries of the observation zone in the Ardennes. It follows a recommendation from ANSES. The three departments bordering Belgium are affected by these measures (Ardennes, Meuse, and Meurthe-et-Moselle).

The publication of this new decree is part of a policy to combat the African swine fever virus, which continues to spread throughout the European Union.

When it comes to biosecurity, France has pulled out all the stops:

• A fence is being erected along the border

along a 132-kilometer stretch in Belgium, to create a barrier against hordes of wild boars, whose population is being controlled on an unprecedented scale by hunters and game wardens from the ONCFS;

the observation zone in the Ardennes has been expanded;

certain forestry activities are now permitted, such as the harvesting of firewood by private individuals, but under very strict conditions (notification to the prefecture, public awareness campaigns

in terms of biosecurity, etc.);

The first biosecurity training sessions for firewood collectors were dispensed last November.

The situation in Asia is out of control, and the latest developments in Europe are cause for concern.