BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - Media OutReach - 29 December 2020 - On 21 December 2020, the WorldOrganisation of AnimalHealth (OIE) confirmed the ASF-free statusin all suidae of Belgium, which had been removedsince September 2018due to theoutbreak of ASFin the wildboar population. Prior to theOIE publication, Belgium's FASFC (Federal Agencyfor the Safetyof the Food Chain) provided the OIE with all necessary data which proved that Belgium has been ASF-freefor more than one year: a necessary condition to claiming the status of being ASF-free. Throughout this entire period, Belgium was successful inkeeping its domestic herd of pigs ASF-free.

Official declaration by the OIE

DECISIVE AND CONSISTENT ACTIONSHAVE LED TO THEERADICATION OF ASF IN THEWILD BOAR POPULATION

Fromthe start of the outbreak in September 2018,Belgium's strategy wasto eradicate ASF(African Swine Fever)in the wild boarpopulation. A widevariety of measuresand actions weretaken. Fencing, forestsclosed to thepublic, intensive search and destroy programme, hunting and trapping--all proved to be key successfactors in achieving this goal.

Injust one year, no new positive cases were detected. In total 5,422 wild boarswere examined for ASF, ofwhich 833 were confirmed positive for ASF. The lastpositive case confirmed on a freshwild boar carcassdates from 11 August 2019.

MOST IMPORTANT:

DOMESTICHERD WAS KEPT SAFE AND ASF-FREE AT ALL TIMES

Belgium is one of Europe'skey pork producers, exporting more than two-thirds of its pork production. To protectthis important sector,it was crucial to preventthe disease frominfecting the domestic herd.

On top of the comprehensive bio-security rules that were alreadyin place, extra measures were implemented. This means, amongstother things, thatevery sick pig must be tested for ASF, regardless of the symptoms. To date, the number of samplings, all negative, amountsto more than 22,000--and still counting.

VIA CONTINUOUS MONITORING AND CONTROL, ALERTNESS REMAINS HIGH

Despitethe regained ASF-free status, Belgium will keep monitoring for animal diseasesin the future, bothin the domesticherd as wellas in the wild population. The surveillance and control measures remain in forcefor the time being.

EUROPEAN LAW HAD ALREADY REINSTATED BELGIUM'SASF-FREE STATUS

The OIE publication followsthe decision by the EuropeanCommission on 20 November 2020 to abolishthe regulated zones that were put in placeafter the outbreak of the virusin wild boar.

BELGIAN PORK WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE AGAIN,WORLDWIDE

Over the last few decades, Belgiumhas exported pork to more than 70 countries. As Belgium communicates transparently withits trading partners around the world,importing countries willsoon be providedwith all information necessary to allow trade to resume.

"It is a relief to the Belgian pork suppliers that the OIE has published Belgium's ASF-free status. Importing countries will be provided with all information necessary so that they can lift ASF-related restrictions.

Excellent news for importers!"

Contact your Belgian pork supplier

Full information about Belgian pork can be found on: europeanpork.eu | artofmeat.eu | belgianmeat.com

Or contact Belgian Meat Office.

About Belgian Meat Office

Belgian Meat Office coordinates pork and beef export activities. The meat export agency was founded in 2003 under theFlanders' Agricultural Marketing Board (VLAM) umbrella.