News

The Andean countries will implement a plan for the eradication of classical swine fever

22.05.2012

Responding to the countries request, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will provide technical assistance to Andean countries (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru) and Venezuela, to control and eradicate classical swine fever, a disease of great economic and social impact in the Andean region. Endemic of the Andean countries, classical swine fever (CSF) affects domestic pigs and wild boars; it is contagious, with high morbidity and mortality. The CSF is not only a risk to livestock development, due to strict restrictions on domestic and international trade occurring, but also it significantly affects the food security and development of farm families. As Latin America is the third largest producer of pork, FAO and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) consider the eradication of CFS from the Americas a priority, also with a view to stimulating trade.

Photo (c) Alex Dodd / Flickr