North West hog roast caterers Manchester Hog King respond to news that the EU has updated their measures to combat the spread of African swine fever.

Designed to ensure further step s are taken to preserve the safety of porcine numbers across Europe, the latest updating of the measures already in place will improve efforts to prevent African swine fever (AFS) from spreading, with these latest updates having now been approved by the EU.

A serious condition that is affecting pigs across Africa and now certain parts of the EU, African swine fever (ASF) can occur in three forms: chronic, sub-acute and acute. Affecting pigs in many ways, in varying degrees, the main physical signs include high temperatures and loss of appetite, none responsiveness and affected animals grouping together in acute cases. More indications can include such signs as laboured breathing and coughing, reddening or darkening of the skin especially around the ears and snout and further issues.

With outbreaks occurring near the Latvian border, these stricter measures are now being enforced across Eastern Europe. The European Commissioner for Health, Tonio Borg signed off the updating of new legislation that will help to reinforce preventative containment actions.

Manchester-based hog roast catering experts Manchester Hog King regularly reacts to relevant news stories, research and legislation from within their industry. A spokesperson for the company was clear to point out that the risk of African swine fever reaching the UK is tiny but they believe these measures are to be beneficial in the fight against the disease:

“We show our full support in the EU’s fight to eradicate African swine fever or at the very least contain the issue. As we have very close relationships with our pig suppliers, it is our supply chain that is at risk when any threat is brought to our attention.

“As the mortality rate is high within cases of ASF, the European Commission need to maintain strict monitoring so that UK animals do not get affected. The latest updates look set to prove their determination in halting further progress of this disease across and into Europe.”

Providing their support for the success of the new legislation, the end goal would be to see ASF completely removed and that would involve seeking out the source and subsequently neutralising the risk. However, such a mammoth undertaking would take orchestrated efforts that do not as yet have the needed capacity. Manchester Hog King continues to experience a bumper autumn, providing hog roast services right across the city despite the events occurring in Europe. As a well-established and respected hog roast company, their catering solutions are in great demand and for further details visit their website at www.manchesterhogroast.co.uk.