Belgium applies to regain ASF "free" status

Since the beginning of the crisis in September 2018, several measures have been taken to control the African swine fever (ASF) epidemic. Due to the favorable evolution of the disease, Belgium has submitted a request to the European Commission and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) to regain its "African swine fever free" status. A decision from the European Commission is expected in the coming weeks.

Below are the various measures that will be taken if there is a positive response from the European authorities:

Following the recuperation of the "free" status

• Return to "normal" in terms of forest traffic as soon as European zoning is abolished.
• Removal of most restrictions and limitations.

Until March 31, 2021

• Surveillance and maintenance of the fences installed in the infected areas will be maintained.
• The search for wild boar carcasses will continue.
• The elimination of wild boar will continue in accordance with the decree from the Walloon Government dated July 16, 2020.
• Eliminated wild boar, wild boar found dead, or wild boar shot by hunters will continue to be tested to check for positive cases.

Until April 1, 2021

The division into infected zones, enhanced observation, and surveillance zones (ZI, ZOR, and ZV respectively) will be simplified: the infected zone becomes a surveillance zone and the other two zones are merged to become an observation zone.

In all areas (1,106 km²):

• Fences will remain until March 31, 2022 when their dismantlement will be evaluated;
• maintenance of survey and search for wild boar carcasses until August 31, 2021;
• adapted plan for hunting wild boar;
• DNA testing of shot wild boar;
• the sale of meat from the wild boars hunted in this area is made possible.

Maintaining these measures after regaining free status is necessary because there is still a possibility that African swine fever will recur, even if the probability is low.