The African Swine Fever (ASF) is a real challenge that local and regional authorities are struggling to cope with. In Poland, hundreds of pig farms have ceased to exist due to the outbreak of the virus, stated Sławomir Sosnowski (EPP/PL), Councillor of Lubelskie Voivodeship and rapporteur on African swine fever and the EU pork market at the meeting of the NAT Commission of the European Committee of the Regions during the adoption of his opinion.
ASF is a serious problem for the European Union as a whole, also for economic and trade-related reasons. In addition to farmers, meat processing plants are facing the negative consequences of the disease, and falling pork prices are a real concern.
Sosnowski's opinion calls upon the European Commission to undertake stronger measures and legislative solutions to fight against ASF in addition to increased funding and research, including an effective vaccine for the virus.
The European Commission presented its actions in the fight against the disease and the next steps it is planning to take. The Czech Republic was mentioned as a positive example, as the country has managed to eradicate the disease.
Taking part in the debate, EPP-CoR member Witold Stępień (EPP/PL), former Marshal of the Łódzkie Voivodeship, highlighted the importance of exchanging good practices and international cooperation within the EU but also with third countries to be able to control the spread of the disease. "We need to make sure that just compensations are available for our farmers to make pig breeding profitable in the long run", he said.
Sosnowski's opinion will be on the agenda of the October Plenary session of the CoR.