The Brogdale Old Spot Hog Roast – a hog roast catering company operating across the South of England has spoken out about the recent decision from EU veterinary specialists to allow for temporary safeguard measures to be put in place, following the serious outbreak of PEDv or Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea virus amongst North American and Canadian pigs.

The risk of the spreading of the PED virus gripped the attention of butchers and slaughter houses nationwide, causing mixed feelings from sections within the European pig industry. Already causing major losses by affecting a high concentration of pigs across North America, the emerging PED virus is currently in circulation amidst all efforts to control the spread of the disease.

As the USA and Canada both have the authority to export live pigs to countries located within the European Union, there is undoubtedly much concern for the safety of unaffected animals contracting the virus through cross contamination. However, the safeguard measures with comprise of intense screening and testing of each animal being exported from America and Canada should place the minds of Europe at rest.

Current health and safety legislation and rules for the importing of any livestock from the US or Canada are heavily enforced and are some of the best, most stringent rules given for live animal export and import. Animals imported from the USA or Canada are required to spend a certain time in quarantine so that any disease or virus that wasn’t apparent at the time of export could be safely controlled if an occurrence happened.

SCOFCAH, the European Community’s Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health has reported that both Canadian and United States health authorities have informed the EU that there are currently no scheduled consignments of live pigs due for dispatch to Europe.

The Brogdale Old Spot Hog Roast commented on the news, stating that:

“Although the news may be somewhat of a concerning aspect for the European pig industry as a whole,  the decision to carry out full testing in addition to the existing quarantine measures is a relief for many importers of live pigs from the US. For us however, as we source all our meat from local organic producers to ensure our premium level of quality is maintained, we and other hog roast caterers thankfully will not be affected and business will continue as normal.”

Quickly gaining a superb reputation for their gourmet hog roast services and ability to create the perfect catering choice for weddings, parties and other social gatherings, The Brogdale Old Spot Hog Roast’s website can be visited at www.theoldspothogroasthire.co.uk today.