Warning of disease costs on pig industry as African Swine Fever spreads

AN outbreak of disease in feral pigs could cost Australia’s commercial pork industry an extra $77 million in production a year, the industry’s peak body warns.

Outbreak: An outbreak of disease in feral pigs could cost port industry millions.

AN outbreak of disease in feral pigs could cost Australia’s commercial pork industry an extra $77 million in production a year, the industry’s peak body has warned.

And our top export markets would also close immediately while Australia’s “clean” image was “irreparably damaged”, Australian Pork Ltd said as it called for a national approach to tackling the escalating wild pig problem. It comes amid the rapid spread overseas of African swine fever, which is devastating pig populations across Europe and China.

More than 124 cases of ASF have been detected in Belgium’s feral pig population in the past two months, shutting down its pork exports. More than 50 cases have been detected in China since August, leading to the culling of more than 100,000 domestic pigs.

The highly contagious virus — which does not affect humans or other animals — can quickly spread from feral to domestic pigs, and has no vaccine or cure, meaning culling is the only way to stop its spread.

It has never been detected in Australia, but industry is on high alert in case ASF and other diseases such as Porcine Reproduction and Respiratory Syndrome hit the country’s 24-million strong, and growing, feral pig population.

Australian Pork — in a submission to a Senate inquiry into feral pigs, deer and goats — estimated dealing with an outbreak of PRRS would add $77 million in extra costs, including slaughtering and disposing infected or exposed animals.

APL wants a national approach to bring feral pig numbers to a manageable level, suggesting strategies similar to those used for wild dogs.

APL general policy manager Deb Kerr said there was no preferred management method such as shooting or baits, but a debate was needed to develop one. “This discussion needs to occur across all levels of government, agriculture, scientists and it must include the sporting/recreational shooters,” she said.

Meanwhile, a new feral pig toxin, Hog-Gone, is a step closer to gaining Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medi­cines Authority approval.

The bait — developed in partnership by Animal Control Technologies, Meat and Livestock Australia and the US Government, among others — puts the pigs to sleep by stopping oxygen circulating in the bloodstream, similar to carbon monoxide poisoning.

ACT’s Linton Staples agreed a “holistic” approach was needed to tackle feral pigs.

“We will never shoot our way out of the pig problem,” he said.