The first ban on exports of sausages and pork produced in Italy has already arrived. As a precaution, the cancellation of purchases of products from Italy was announced after the discovery of new cases of African swine fever.
Switzerland, China, Japan, Taiwan and Kuwait announced the first restrictions.
African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious disease that, however, is not transmitted to humans, but only among pigs and wild boars, causing considerable damage to the supply chain.
At risk is the production of typical products, such as salami, sausages and raw Italian hams, such as Parma, for example.
And the fact that China was among the first countries to adopt restrictive measures is largely justified by the fact that in recent months Beijing had to combat a very serious epidemic of African swine fever, which led to the slaughter of tens of millions of animals, creating a supply gap in Asia.
The Italian Farmers Association Coldiretti said he has repeatedly warned about the threat of the multiplication of wild boars, which now number 2,3 million in the country.
The disease is highly contagious and often lethal to pigs, and is endemic to the island of Sardinia since the 1970s, according to AFP.
The strain found in Italy corresponds to one that has been circulating in Europe since 2007, the World Organization for Animal Health said.
“Last year, exports from the pork sector generated more than 1,5 billion euros, of which 500 million euros were destined for non-EU markets”, commented the president of Confagricoltura, Massimiliano Giansanti.
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