Italy battles swine fever threat to its pork industry

Italy is facing a significant threat to its pork industry due to an outbreak of swine fever, particularly affecting the northern regions of Lombardy, Piedmont, and Liguria. Since January 2022, nearly 25,000 pigs and 2,500 wild boars have been reported infected. The situation has led to the slaughter of 50,000 to 60,000 pigs in 2024 alone, causing economic losses estimated at around 25 million euros. Farmers are struggling as they cannot transport pigs between farms, leading to further financial strain. The European Union has criticized Italy's management of the crisis, highlighting a lack of coordination among regions. In response, the Italian government has appointed a special commissioner to implement a unified strategy for disease control. Measures include banning the movement of pigs in infected areas and limiting access to farms. Barriers are being constructed to contain wild boar populations, which are crucial in the virus's transmission. France remains on high alert due to the proximity of the outbreak, particularly in border regions. An Italian-French technical group has been established to enhance cross-border cooperation in managing the threat. The pork sector, which generates 20 billion euros annually and employs 100,000 people, is deeply concerned about the ongoing crisis. While the government has promised compensation to affected farmers, delays in payments and the inability to transport pigs have left many in dire financial situations. Experts warn that without eradicating wild boars, the risk of future outbreaks remains high, potentially prolonging the crisis for the pork industry.