The twenty first meeting of the Standing Group of Experts on African Swine Fever (SGE ASF21) was organised in Brussels by the SGE ASF Secretariat (RSR Brussels) on the 28/29th of September 2023. 20 SGE Member from the European Region participated, for a total of more than 50 participants.
Updates on the epidemiological situation in Europe and current activities against the disease
The participating member countries of the SGE-ASF for Europe briefly presented their national epidemiological situation regarding ASF, focusing on the changes since the last meeting in October 2022.
Updates from the Global ASF Working Group and regional activities were given by:
– the joint ASF Working group, represented by Dr Andriy Rostalnyy
– the European Commission
– FAO for Europe
– WOAH in Europe
The WOAH global headquarters also gave a global epidemiological overview, along with reminders on the use of WAHIS. Overall, it was noted that the situation in Europe was unfortunately deteriorating. The development of common actions and guidelines can be a part of our coordinated response.
Technical item: carcass detection and disposal
Starting on the evening on the first day and continuing on the second day, participants listened to several presentation on the topic of wild boar carcass detection and disposal, as a way to diminish viral presence in wild boar habitats, including practical experience from three countries, two scientific studies, and a practical paper from EFSA. The Federation of hunter’s associations for Europe, FACE was invited to present the point of view of a strategic stakeholder segment on interaction with wild boar carcasses.
Conclusions and recommendations
The SGE ASF21 were shown a set of recommendations bearing on the importance of carcass detection and disposal, including practical guidelines in the form of best practices, and an updated list of SGE ASF Experts.
The twenty second meeting (SGE ASF22) of the Standing Group of Experts on African Swine Fever in Europe under the GF-TADs is planned to be held in Skopje in September 2024.
Below you can find the SGE ASF21 meeting agenda, including the link to all PPT presentations showcased during the event.
| Timing | Topic | Speaker | |
| 9h30 | Registration of participants | ||
| First session
10h-12h45 |
15 | Welcome remarks and Presentation of the objectives of the meeting | B. Van Goethem, President of the GF-TADs for Europe
+ FAO and WOAH representatives |
| 15 | Presentation on the activities of the Global ASF Working Group and Global Coordination Committee | Joint ASF Working group | |
| 15 | ASF: European Commission activities | European Commission | |
| 15 | ASF: FAO activities in Europe | FAO REU | |
| 15 | ASF: WOAH activities in Europe | WOAH Europe | |
| 30 | COFFEE BREAK | ||
| 1h | Country presentations (8 min max per country – PPT presentation optional, 10 slides max – refer to PPT template proposed by the GF-TADs Secretariat); describe what happened since SGE ASF20 (1st September 2022) | Countries:
Russia |
|
| 1h30 hour | LUNCH BREAK | ||
| Second session
14h15– 17h |
2h30 with discussion and coffee break | Country presentations (8 min max per country – PPT presentation optional, 10 slides max – refer to PPT template proposed by the GF-TADs Secretariat); describe what happened since SGE ASF20 (1st September 2022) | Countries: |
| 15 | WAHIS update (global epidemiological situation, notification rules) | WOAH HQ | |
| 15 | Composting of Wild Boar Carcasses in Lithuania Leads to Inactivation of African Swine Fever Virus in Wintertime | Paulius Bušauskas | |
| DINNER (Chez Léon – 18 rue des Bouchers, 1000 Bruxelles) | |||
| Day 2 – 29 September 2023 – 9:00 to 12:30 | |||
| 8h30 | Registration of participants | ||
| Third session – technical theme
9h-12h30 |
20 | Presentation of the technical theme -including discussion | Public Service of Wallonia |
| 20 | FAO work on carcass detection (including discussion)
|
FAO REU | |
| 20 | ENETWILD and their MammalNet App | EFSA | |
| 30 | COFFEE BREAK | ||
| 15 per country maximum
(1h) |
Presentations from specific countries on detection and carcass disposal techniques
|
Germany (Gunda Lubek) | |
| 20 | Presentation by hunters organization on how they support detection in cooperation with the VS (including discussion) | FACE | |
| 15 | Presentation of the report of the GF-TADs mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina | GF-TADs expert | |
| 20 | Discussion of conclusions and recommendations | Final Report | |
| 5 | Next meeting and closing remarks | ||
| END of the SGE ASF21 | B. Van Goethem | ||
| Lunch | |||
