ASF Germany: New buffer zone in NRW state
The German authorities have stepped up their efforts to quickly get the ASF situation in North Rhine Westphalia (NRW) under control. Another buffer zone with additional rules has been installed, writes German agricultural title Top Agrar. So far the virus emerged in 26 wild boar in 2 districts.
North Rhine Westphalia is Germany’s most populous state incorporating large cities like Cologne, Düsseldorf, Dortmund and Essen. The virus emerged there in June, with the virus strain being remarkably similar to outbreaks recorded from Calabria in the deep south of Italy.
Last month, the authorities already installed a 15 km infected zone around the finding places, which included parts of the districts of Olpe, Siegen-Wittgenstein and Hochsauerland. This zone will now be called “restricted zone II.” On top, now an additional 10 km buffer has been established around that initial zone. The new buffer zone will be known as “restricted zone I.”
The news was shared by the veterinary authorities of the affected districts in coordination with the NRW State Animal Disease Control Centre (LaTiKo) and the North Rhine Westphalia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Consumer Protection.
More intensive ASF control measures
The new demarcation with 2 restricted zones is based on a requirement of the European Commission. That will enable more intensive ASF control measures to be implemented in the localised area. R
Rules in restricted zone II
- Free-range and outdoor pig husbandry is prohibited.
- Exemptions apply for pig farms to move pigs.
- Hunting is prohibited. That does not affect tracking injured or sick game.
- Harvesting is subject to restrictions.
- Visits to forests remain possible when sticking to paths.
- Dogs must be kept on a lead.
Rules in restricted zone I:
- Domestic pig farms are subject to enhanced biosecurity measures and transport restrictions.
- Hunting will be intensified to reduce the wild boar population in this area. That is intended to prevent the spread of ASF to previously unaffected areas.
- Visits to forest remain possible when sticking to paths.
- Dogs must be kept on a lead.
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