African Swine Fever Risk in Western Europe: Investigating Trade and Outbreaks

Strategic Insights -

Research in Montpellier, France, has shed new light on the risk of African Swine Fever (ASF) introduction into Western Europe via wild boar trade. The study, conducted by the French Agricultural Research Center for International Development (CIRAD), analyzed trade data from 2010 to 2017 and found that international trade of wild boar increased the risk of ASF introduction into new territories. Despite no outbreaks in France or Spain being detected to date, the study's results suggest that prohibiting international wild boar trade in 2018 was well justified. The research highlights the importance of monitoring and supervising legal wildlife production within EU countries.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that international wild boar trade increased the risk of ASF introduction into new territories, with Hungary being the main exporter to France and Spain, and Poland being the main exporter to France.
  • The study analyzed 127 trade events introducing live wild boar into France and Spain between 2010 and 2017, encompassing a total of 5567 animals.
  • The highest annual risk of ASF release was related to shipments from Poland to France after 2014, coinciding with an epidemic phase of ASF in Poland.
  • The study's results suggest that prohibiting international wild boar trade in 2018 was well justified, as quantified values of ASF introduction risk into Western Europe were very high.
  • The study's findings highlight the relevance of using trade data to design and implement risk reduction strategies to reduce the spread of pathogens in the wildlife trade sector.
  • The study's authors include David Pleydell, Ferran Jori, Elsa Burnichon, Jordi Casal, and Jose Angel Barasona.

Statistics:

  • 127 trade events introducing live wild boar into France and Spain between 2010 and 2017 were recorded during the study.
  • 5567 animals were shipped during these trade events.
  • The highest annual risk of ASF release was related to shipments from Poland to France after 2014.
  • The risk of ASF introduction from Hungary to France was much smaller but gradually increased after 2015.
  • No outbreaks in France or Spain were detected to date.

Sources:

  • Wild boar trade and African swine fever risk of introduction into new territories: A quantitative release assessment with retrospective data of wild boar shipments to France and Spain (2010-2017). One Health, 2025;21:101185.
  • CIRAD - French Agricultural Research Center for International Development (CIRAD)
  • Veterinary Week