The chair of the IFA national pig committee Tom Hogan has called for an immediate ban on pork imports from countries affected by African Swine Fever (ASF), in the wake of reports that a meat processor is involved in importing pork from Poland.
He has slammed the claim that any processor would participate in importing pork from a country that is affected by ASF as completely reckless and said it risks jeopardising the health status of the national pig herd.
Contagious
The disease does not affect humans, however, it is highly contagious among domestic and wild pigs and has had a disastrous effect on pig herds across eastern Europe and Asia.
Hogan is concerned that the reputation damage to important international export markets would be catastrophic and has called on all processors of pork to confirm that they do not import pork from Poland or any other ASF affected countries and that vigilance and awareness of the potential threat of introducing ASF into the country to be increased.