African Swine Fever Conference

by Roger Gilbert, Publisher, Milling and Grain

Bringing home the bacon may prove more expensive in future than we have been accustomed to - given the African Swine Fever virus is spreading

The challenges being faced by the Chinese pig producing industry may well be under-estimated and the level of concern was clearly demonstrated when Famsun, jointly with Milling and Grain, hosted an impromptu one-day conference on March 27th, 2019 to being together international experts to review the modus operandi of the ASF virus and the most trusted control and prevention measures.

The one-day conference held in Beijing attracted 160 of China's largest pig producers from across the country. They wanted to learn more about bio-security and how to contain and/or avoid their farms from infection.

China, the world's largest pig producing country, is experiencing a rapid decline in pig numbers – it has lost over one million pigs in just over six months. There is speculation that pig meat prices could rise by three-quarters by the end of next year. China consumes almost 30 percent of the world's meat production.

This will have a major knock-on effect putting pressure on the international trade in pig meats as well and resulting in upward pressure on prices for all livestock products as the shortage of this very important protein source is felt in markets around the world.

The doomsday scenario is in the virus spreading to neighbouring countries in Asia and the risk to other countries if they do not implement preventive and bio-security measures.

What is or can be done? To answer that question ask yourself why would a feed equipment manufacturer and a magazine take it upon themselves to address an animal health issue? In answering this question might provide a way forward in controlling the spread and achieving containment of the disease.

Farmers often look to feed as the carrier of disease onto their farms. That might have some validity, given that feed trucks often visit several farms on a single run. Bio-security not only rests with the farmer but also implicates all people, vehicles and animals 'entering' a farm.

Consequently, farmers must take responsibility for their bio-security and request feed suppliers among others to comply. In China, feed manufacturers have now turned to their mill providers for support and advice. And, in turn, Famsun requested our help to identify and invite key experts on ASF control to a one-day conference to share knowledge and provide guidance.

Read the full article HERE.

 

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

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