Preventing and controlling African swine fever

SUMMARY OF:

Directive 2002/60/EC — specific rules for the control of African swine fever

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DIRECTIVE?

It sets out prevention, control and eradication measures for African swine fever, a generally fatal infectious disease in pigs and wild boar, with serious socioeconomic consequences.

KEY POINTS

EU countries must ensure that any suspected case of African swine fever is immediately notified to competent authorities. If confirmed, the results of investigations must be communicated to the European Commission and to other EU countries.
If the presence of the disease cannot be ruled out, the holding must be placed under official supervision and all movements of pigs, pig products, materials or waste likely to spread the disease and movement of persons and vehicles are restricted.
If the disease is officially confirmed, all pigs on the holding are to be killed and their carcasses processed under official supervision. Any meat, materials or waste that might be contaminated must be destroyed, processed or treated to ensure the virus is destroyed and in accordance with the instructions of the official veterinarian. A minimum 3-km protection zone within a 10-km surveillance zone must be set up around the outbreak site.
If wild boar are suspected of being infected, EU countries must inform pig owners and hunters and investigate any boar shot or found dead. The infected area must be defined, with pig holdings in this area placed under official surveillance and a possible hunting ban put in place.
Document SANCO/7138/2013 contains guidelines on surveillance and control of African swine fever in wild boar.
EU countries concerned must submit a disease eradication plan to the Commission.
EU countries must draw up contingency plans, taking into account local factors, such as pig density, which are likely to influence the spread of the virus.
Commission experts may make spot checks to ensure uniform application of this directive.

Adoption of implementing act

In 2014, the Commission adopted an implementing act (Decision 2014/709/EU) which lays down detailed animal health control measures that must be taken in relation to African swine fever in the EU countries (or in regions of those countries) which are affected. The measures include prohibitions on the dispatch of live pigs, pig meat and pig meat products, porcine semen, ova and embryos.

The annex to the decision, which is updated regularly, is divided into four parts. The areas of the EU countries concerned are listed and demarcated in Parts I to IV of the annex, differentiated by the level of risk based on the epidemiological situation as regards African swine fever.

Repeal

This directive will be repealed by Regulation (EU) 2016/429 from 21 April 2021.

FROM WHEN DOES THE DIRECTIVE APPLY?

It has applied since 9 August 2002 and had to become law in the EU countries by 1 July 2003.

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

African swine fever (European Commission).

MAIN DOCUMENT

Council Directive 2002/60/EC of 27 June 2002 laying down specific provisions for the control of African swine fever and amending Directive 92/119/EEC as regards Teschen disease and African swine fever (OJ L 192, 20.7.2002, pp. 27-46)

Successive amendments to Directive 2002/60/EC have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.