Colombia: Control of classical swine fever in miniature pigs

As part of the measures to combat classical swine fever (CSF), the Colombian Institute of Agriculture (ICA) will soon issue a resolution containing the requirements for the breeding, sale, and keeping of miniature pigs (mini pigs), which must be adhered to, even by those who have these animals as pets.

Some of the most important requirements that will be established by the pending resolution will be:

• Breeding and marketing farms must register their establishment in accordance with current regulations (Resolution 9810 of 2017) and comply with the infrastructure requirements established in Resolution 2640 of 2007.
• Animals should be identified with an electronic microchip.
• All breeders and retailers of miniature pigs must provide buyers with a card containing information on: the place of purchase, the buyer, and the permanent location of the miniature pig.
• For the movement of miniature pigs within the national territory, one must comply with the provisions of Resolution 2421 of 2017, regarding the movement between different epidemiological areas:
  • Miniature pigs that leave the zone free of classical swine fever will not be allowed to return to that area.
  • Miniature pigs raised in the eradication zone may not be moved into the classical swine fever free zone, and when they leave the eradication zone, they may not return.
  • Miniature pigs raised in the control zone may not be moved into the eradication zone or the classical swine fever free zone.
• All miniature pigs in the control zone should be vaccinated against classical swine fever.
• It is prohibited to raise, breed, and/or sell miniature pigs in places other than those with a Livestock Health Record (RSPP), in accordance with Resolution 9810 of 2017.

Current classical swine fever situation in Colombia

The Colombian Institute of Agriculture (ICA) has deployed a strategy to mitigate the spread of CSF which includes defining four zones in the country:

• Zone free of classical swine fever, recognized by the OIE: the departments of Antioquia (except Magdalena Medio, Urabá and Bajo Cauca), Caldas (except Magdalena Medio), Chocó, Quindío, Risaralda, Valle del Cauca, northern Cauca and the municipality of Cajamarca in the department of Tolima. Pigs in this zone are not vaccinated, but are identified.
• Zone self-declared free of classical swine fever without OIE recognition: the departments of Amazonas, Guainía, Guaviare, Vichada, Vaupés and San Andrés and Providencia. Pigs in this zone are not vaccinated, but are identified.

• Zone in the process of CSF eradication: the departments of Cundinamarca, Tolima, Huila, Santander, Boyacá, Caquetá and Meta, as well as by some municipalities of the departments of Cauca, Antioquia, Casanare and Caldas. Pigs are not vaccinated in this zone, but are identified.

• Surveillance zone: the departments of La Guajira, Magdalena, Atlántico, Cesar, Córdoba, Sucre, Arauca, Norte de Santander, Nariño, Putumayo, as well as some municipalities in the departments of Antioquia and Cauca. The vaccination strategy is continued in this area in order to control the disease.