ASF outbreaks
The resolution has been passed asking to prevent the outbreaks “of African swine fever remain isolated and do not extend to the regional territory". This was requested by councilor Matteo Daffadà (Democratic Party) first signatory of a resolution also signed by party colleagues Gianluigi Molinari, Massimo Bulbi, Pasquale Gerace, Stefano Caliandro, Palma Costi, Luca Sabattini, Manuela Rontini and Giulia Pigoni (Lista Bonaccini). Two amendments by the League were also approved relating to the change of pace on containment and selection plans and on the need for depopulated areas, involving all actors (including hunters and farmers).
The consequences of the disease
“The disease – explained Daffadà – can cause economic damage to the entire transformation chain and to farm animals”. In addition to fighting the outbreaks, the councilor dem asks the Region to "work to ensure that the activities of the government and the Commissioner are based on the eradication of the disease on the national territory" and to implement every initiative to fight the disease "in order to avoid the serious economic and social repercussions that would derive from it". The production of pork, recalls Daffadà, is one of the main activities of Italian agriculture with 10 million animals raised and, "according to Assica data from 2019, Emilia-Romagna is the second region for pig slaughtering with 34 %, after Lombardy with 39%”. In the region there are 1.200 farms, one million heads and a gross salable production estimated at 307 million euros, which includes important PDO products such as Parma and Modena hams and other protected denomination cured meats: "In particular - he recalled the councilor dem – PDO and PGI meat products have a production value of 1,93 billion euros and a consumption value of 4,98 billion euros, exports are worth 601 million euros and the 53% of the national turnover of PDO and PGI is attributable to Emilia-Romagna”.
National control plan
Today there are no cases of African swine fever in the region, but three carcasses were found in Piedmont and Liguria, on the border with Emilia-Romagna. The National Control Plan provides for passive surveillance, biosecurity measures, training of breeders and hunters. The Region has adopted precautionary measures for the prevention of the spread of the disease and allocated funds for biosecurity in farms. Furthermore, an information campaign was launched for citizens and "emergency management was entrusted to the regional crisis unit for epidemic veterinary emergencies and to the technical coordination unit on a regional basis" (Regional Council of Emilia Romagna) .
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