Works to protect the border territories
Complete the construction of barriers to protect the border territories of the Lombardia (Oltrepò Pavese), for the defense against the spread of the African swine fever virus (ASF). This is the provision of a resolution approved today by the regional council on the proposal of the vice president and councilor for welfare Letizia Moratti. The aim of the measure is to limit the movement of wild boars from infected areas to neighboring areas and thus reduce the risk of active circulation of the virus. Lombardy Region has allocated 1,5 million euros.
In January 2022, first cases of swine fever
Since the 'African Swine Fever' (ASF) appeared in Italy in January 2022, identified in a wild boar carcass found in Piedmont (Ovada, AL), in northern Italy (Piedmont and Liguria) about other 200 infected wild boar carcasses. The disease is however for now limited only to the 'world' of wild animals and the farms are still unscathed. To date, the Lombard territory, albeit on the border with the 'infected' territories, has not yet been affected by the disease. All this thanks to the actions that the Lombardy Region has implemented in concert with the Ministry of Health, the neighboring Regions affected by the disease and the coordination of the Extraordinary Commissioner for the 'African Swine Fever'. The installation of containment fences is one of the actions considered a priority right from the start. Objective to prevent or at least limit the spread of the disease by moving infected wild boars from one territory to another.
Neighboring territories Oltrepò Pavese is the gateway to the disease
The territories of the Oltrepò Pavese, bordering the infected areas of Piedmont, potentially represent a gateway for the disease to the territories of the Lombard plain. The territory, in fact, represents the heart of national pig farming, with more than 5 million pigs reared. “The completion of these physical barriers - declared the vice president and councilor for Welfare Letizia Moratti - are of primary importance. The aim is to reduce the risk of the virus spreading from infected areas towards our territory. In addition to the barriers, we have activated various actions in the Oltrepò Pavese areas. In particular on the management of the wild boar species and strengthening of biosecurity measures in pig farms. Activities coordinated by the Veterinary Operational Unit of the Lombardy Region "(source: Lombardy region).