Italy’s prized prosciutto industry faces devastation as African swine fever ravages northern pig farms, forcing the slaughter of tens of thousands of animals.
At a Glance
- African swine fever has spread to major pig-producing regions in northern Italy
- Nearly 60,000 pigs were slaughtered in 2024 to contain the outbreak
- The disease threatens Italy’s 20-billion-euro pork industry
- EU experts criticize Italy’s management of the crisis
- Government claims preventive measures are in place, with no recent outbreaks
The Spreading Threat of African Swine Fever
African swine fever (ASF) is wreaking havoc on Italy’s cherished pork industry, particularly in the northern regions known for producing world-famous prosciutto. The virus, highly lethal to pigs and wild boars, first appeared in Italy in January 2022 when it was detected in a wild boar in the Piedmont region. By June 2023, it had spread to Lombardy, one of Italy’s major pig-producing areas.
The impact has been devastating. Between January 2022 and September 2024, Italy recorded cases in nearly 25,000 pigs and 2,500 wild boars. The government’s response has been drastic, with between 50,000 and 60,000 pigs slaughtered in 2024 alone to contain the spread of the disease.
Economic Impact and Industry Concerns
The outbreak poses a significant threat to Italy’s 20-billion-euro pork industry. Prosciutto, a cornerstone of Italian cuisine and a major export, is particularly at risk. The regions of Lombardy, Piedmont, and Liguria – all crucial to pork production – have been heavily impacted.
“The overall disease control strategy in northern Italy needs to be improved. Each region carries out its own measures, with minimum coordination with its neighbors,” they said in a report.
Industry leaders are sounding the alarm. Ettore Prandini, head of Italy’s biggest agricultural association Coldiretti, told AFP he was “very worried” about the situation. The concern is not just about current losses but also about the long-term impact on Italy’s reputation as a pork producer.
Government Response and Challenges
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government has appointed a special commissioner to enforce new rules aimed at controlling the outbreak. However, the response has been criticized by EU experts, who recommend a unified strategy for northern Italy rather than the current piecemeal approach.
“At the moment… we are building barriers” to create zones to limit the movement of wild boars, Francesco Feliziani from the National Reference Center for Swine Fever (CEREP) told AFP.
The government claims that all preventive measures are now in place and that there have been no new outbreaks recently. However, the unique landscape of Italy and bureaucratic processes have impeded effective fencing to halt ASF spread, complicating containment efforts.
Lessons from Past Experiences
Italy’s battle with ASF is not new. The country has faced multiple scenarios, including ongoing infections in North, Central, and South Italy, as well as eradication efforts in Sardinia. The island of Sardinia, in fact, is in the final phase of ASF eradication, applying an exit strategy with strict biosecurity measures and incentives for farmers.
These experiences provide valuable insights into effective strategies and areas for improvement in managing ASF outbreaks. The joint efforts in Italy represent a model of cooperation to mitigate ASF spread, but also highlight the challenges of coordinating responses across different regions.
How long until one of these awful viruses make the leap to the human population again? God help us…