The European roadmap
The path of the Sardinia towards the progressive cancellation of the restricted areas for African swine fever still in force following the decision which, last December 15th, brought about the end of the embargo after an eleven-year halt to exports of pigs and pig products. This is what was agreed today in Brussels on the occasion of the summit with the European Commission in which the project unit, led by the director of the IZS, Giovanni Filippini, and the Ministry of Health took part.
December result
“The strong commitment put in place by the Region to bring the Island out of the heavy restrictions imposed at the community level – declares the President of the Region, Christian Solinas – did not end with the great result achieved in December. The important surveillance activity has never stopped, the work continues and today we have once again submitted convincing results to Europe's attention which, if confirmed, will lead to a revision of the constraints still present. The recovery of exports is good, but the goal remains that of a Sardinia completely free from restrictions”.
Virus eradication
During today's meeting, the Commission, given the data recorded in Sardinia and the new strategy put in place on the front of the eradication of the virus, shared with the territory, said it was in favour, as already happened on the occasion of the decision taken in December, to submit the progressive adjustment of the restrictions to the Member State Committee, which will meet twice by the end of the year. “The strategy put in place and the positive trend of the data recorded so far – declares the regional health councilor, Carlo Doria – constitute a good premise in perspective of the result we are aiming for. I can only thank the Project Unit and the veterinary services for the indispensable activity carried out in the area and the Ministry of Health for their support even in this delicate and very important phase” (source: Sardinia Region).