La European Commission is organizing the high-level international conference “The future of global pork production under the threat of African swine fever”In Berlin (Germany) as part of the 85th Berlin International Green Week. The future of global pork production and therefore food security is threatened by this devastating disease. In this context, the conference aims to promote coordinated actions to reduce the impact of ASF. The conference will discuss the unprecedented worldwide spread of African swine fever (ASF), which it requires effective collaboration of all interested parties.
In Europe, hunters are key players in wild boar management and play a vital role in combating the spread of ASF. Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, and Julia Klöckner, Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture of Germany, will open the meeting. In the discussion dedicated to improved collaboration and the future of the global pork industry, Dr. David Scallan, Secretary General of FACE, will promote cooperation and communication of best practices among hunters, farmers and authorities in monitoring and fighting ASF. It will also highlight FACE's “Swine Fever Recommendations” for hunting associations and hunters. Janusz Wojciechowski, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, will speak on the same issue.
Due to the recent spread of the ASF in Poland towards the German border, Jaros³aw Kuczaj of the Polish Hunting Association (Polski Zwiazek Lowiecki) and the FACE Vice President for Poland will attend the conference to promote the need for increased cooperation in the eradication of ASF. The German Hunting Association (Deutscher Jagdverband) will be present to highlight the growing risk of ASF spread in Germany. The conference will also participate ministers of various countries, international organizations and important stakeholders worldwide.