Fighting against ASF: tons of animal products are confiscated at Polish airports

The Office of State Property of Poland has strengthened inspections at airports for the detection of animal products in baggage, which may cause further spread of ASF in the territory of the European Union. This is reported by the interregional environmental organization "Green Front", reports UNN.

More than 2 tons of such products were confiscated at the Chopin airport in Warsaw last year.

It is reported that the ban on the import of products of animal origin into the territory of the European Union from third countries is due to the threat of the ASF virus. For today in the airports of Poland are established special containers in which it is necessary to leave foodstuffs forbidden for transportation.

"We must remember that the ASF virus is safe for humans, however, discarded food or a sandwich in the parking lot can become a source of infection of wild boars or pigs on the territory of the whole country," Anna Shchepanska, press-secretary of the State Property Department in Warsaw says. It is noted that Ukraine, Russia, China, Vietnam and Armenia are among the countries most likely to import food of animal origin.

It should be noted that the rate of distribution of ASF in Ukraine has not yet subsided. Since the beginning of the year more than 30 new cases of the disease have already been recorded.

Experts and farmers are accused of inaction by the Ukrainian authorities and specialized bodies, and they demand from the Ministry of Agrarian Policy adoption of a number of necessary regulatory documents, which in their opinion will contribute to the fight against the plague virus.

Meanwhile, according to Trihubenko, the ASF crisis in Ukraine will last until the specialized minister is appointed.

"I believe that without a programmatic approach to the ASF problem, we will never solve it". The crisis of recent years is a vivid confirmation, " is said in the article.

Trihubenko added that the expenses of the state "to combat ASF" are also increasing. However, the effectiveness of spending these funds without the adopted holistic Program is a big question.

"But while there is no minister of agrarian policy in the country and no one to appeal to, it is in the government's interest to stop pulling with personnel decisions, and yet decide on the responsible (!) for the agrarian situation in the country," he concludes.