World meat industry news

The spread of African swine fever (ASF) in Russia has slowed down in 2022. This could have been facilitated by a reduction in cargo transportation across the western border of Russia against the background of the conflict with Ukraine and sanctions.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, as of May 29, 2022, there were 5 outbreaks among domestic pigs in the ASF quarantine regime in Russia. Of these, one each - in the Volgograd, Omsk regions and the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug - Yugra, two centers - in the Chelyabinsk region.

In addition, there are 3 foci in the ASF quarantine regime in the wild fauna. One of them is in the Stavropol Territory, two in the Yaroslavl Region.

Two objects infected with ASF were also identified, one each in the Oryol and Samara regions.

For the same period last year, the situation was worse. As of May 23, 2021, there were 11 outbreaks under ASF quarantine among domestic pigs. Including one outbreak each in the Samara Region, the Trans-Baikal and Primorsky Territories, two each in the Khabarovsk Territory, Tambov, Kursk and Yaroslavl Regions.

There were four outbreaks in the wild fauna under quarantine. Of these, one each - in the Republic of Tatarstan and the Kaluga region, and two - in the Primorsky Territory. Seven objects infected with ASF were identified in the Saratov, Rostov and Kaluga regions.

It is possible that the reduction in the number of ASF foci is due to the successful fight against the spread of infection.

However, the Rosselkhoznadzor and regional authorities have repeatedly stated that a constant threat to the epizootic well-being of at least the regions of the western and central parts of the country is posed by neighboring countries - Poland, Ukraine, the Baltic countries, where ASF is spreading.

For example, in 2021, new swine outbreaks were reported in Poland.

There is a noticeable reduction in quarantined objects in the central part of the country.

In addition, there is no such dynamics for highly pathogenic avian influenza. In the quarantine mode this year there is one outbreak in the Khabarovsk Territory. Last year, only one outbreak in the Stavropol Territory was under quarantine.

The decrease in the spread of ASF may be associated with a decrease in the number of contacts with western neighbors. After the start of a special military operation in Ukraine and the imposition of sanctions against Russia by the EU countries, the flow of goods across the Polish border has decreased. The flow of passengers also dropped significantly.

As previously noted in the National Meat Association, the movement of cargo and hand luggage across the border can affect the importation of infection from other countries.