The British Veterinary Association and Pig Veterinary Society are reminding pig keepers to avoid swill feeding following Defra’s upgrading of the risk of African Swine Fever.

The disease, which does not affect humans, has been elevated from ‘very low’ to ‘low’ due to the spread of the disease in Eastern Europe. Cases have now been reported in the Czech Republic, Romania and Poland as the disease moves South and West.

The spread to the Czech Republic is of particular concern, state experts as ASF has ‘jumped’ a country indicating a new route of infection. Most cases have been in wild boar, but there have been a significant number of cases identified in backyard sites and a small number of commercial herds.

British Veterinary Association junior vice president, John Fishwick said, ‘The route of spread in most cases has been through contact with wild boar, and due to lapses in biosecurity measures. However, some cases have arisen through animals being fed swill which has been contaminated with infected meat. This means it is more important than ever that all pig keepers avoid feeding food waste of any kind to their animals’.

The BVA have issued a reminder that it is illegal to feed domestic food waste of any description in the UK. Owners should also ensure wild or feral pigs cannot gain access to domestic or catering waste in garbage, and are prevented from coming into contact with domestic pigs and herds.

Any suspicions of the presence of ASF should be reported to local animal health and welfare services immediately.