ASF Italy: Prosecutor investigates a pig producer and a vet

Both are thought to be involved in the spread of the recent wave of African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreaks on farms in Northern Italy, news outlet RAI Uno reported.

The year 2024 has been the worst so far in terms of infections of outbreaks of ASF on farms. In the 2 previous years, genotype II of African Swine Fever was detected on 17 farms in the whole of Italy; up until now, only in northern Italy, already 24 farms have been confirmed infected, and had to be emptied in an attempt to stamp out the virus.

Pig farms in Pavia province badly hit by ASF

Of the 24 farms, 13 occurred in Pavia province, part of Lombardy region. The region is traditionally one of the most important pig areas in Italy, which is mostly being conducted in the north of the country anyway.

News outlet RAI Uno reported that apart from the 2 persons under investigation, also others may be receiving scrutiny. Among the hypotheses of crime is a series of negative behaviours by those who were supposed to respect the biosecurity regulations.

Most recent outbreaks occurred near the towns Albuzzano and Marzano, on August 30 and August 28 respectively. Ever since this year, the updates of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) do no longer mention the farm sizes of the infected premises. RAI Uno stated that up to now this year, 56,780 pigs would have been slaughtered in Pavia province alone.

RAI Uno also shared footage shared by an Italian animal welfare organisation, which was allegedly captured by the use of drones. In the video is visible how pigs are being gathered in a container. The culling would occur using “gas,” according to the explanation.

Origin of the ASF epidemic

In an earlier report at RAI Uno, a farm in Vernate, Pavia province was identified as being the origin of the epidemic. It would have been the 4th recorded outbreak, but most likely the 1st to be truly infected. Poor biosecurity measures led to the entry of the disease and there was a very significant delay in reporting about it. All in all, 20 carcasses would have been found buried at the back of the farm – and all were positive for the virus. Unknowingly, the farm’s veterinarian had moved to other farm locations as well.

As a result of the recent wave of infections, both in farms as well as in wild boar, quarantine rules have been put in place, which makes it impossible to move animals in the Lombardian provinces Pavia and Lodi, as well as certain areas in neighbouring Piedmont region.

Stringent action to fight ASF virus

Not surprisingly, the Italian agricultural organisation Confagricoltura has been calling for stringent action to fight the viral disease. They call for an intervention with regard to the depopulation of wild boar and the instalment of reimbursements for direct and indirect damages.

Rudy Miliani, national president of pig production within Confagricoltura also sounded very worried when he spoke to Italian newspaper La Stampa. He said, “We are right on the brink of a disaster, we are on the edge of an abyss. We have been complaining for 15-20 years about how wild fauna out of control is a huge problem. Today we are reaping the benefits of not having been listened to.”

He dropped a number of export damages going up to €500 million when considering export opportunities missed ever since genotype II of ASF also emerged in Italy in January 2022.