Interview: Biosecurity as solution to ASF

Figures of 50-60% are fairly commonly reported when it is asked how much of the Chinese swine herd has disappeared due to African Swine Fever (ASF). It is feared that similar figures will also apply to various surrounding emerging Asian countries, as the virus has not halted its progress at any border in Asia so far. In September, even South Korea, a well-developed pig country, reported its first outbreaks of the virus. At the time of going to press, the count was at 15 affected sites (see box). All of them within 30 kilometres of the border with North Korea, which is known to be one of the most heavily guarded borders in the world.

Pig Progress spoke to Hugues (Hugo) Six, who for the last 2 years has been general manager East & South East Asia at Hypor, Hendrix Genetics’ swine division. As such, he is based in Bangkok and is responsible for the company’s technical, production and commercial activities in Asia, except for China. In South Korea, the company has felt the presence of ASF both directly and indirectly.

Pig Progress: In your opinion, how did the virus get across the border ­between North and South Korea?

Hugues Six: “Most likely this happened because farmers in North Korea dumped their animals in the Ryesong river, which then floated towards the sea. You can see that some of the first outbreaks in South Korea also happened near where that river meets the ­Yellow Sea.”

We are breeding a ‘robust’ pig that is not as susceptible to disease. Nevertheless, we have to admit that there is no genetic solution for pigs. Nor is there a vaccine. The real solution is biosecurity.” – Hugues Six, Hendrix Genetics.

How important is South Korea to Hendrix Genetics?

“We are active on the South Korean market through the pig production brand Woorison, the largest vertical integrator in the country, and Farmsworld GGP which distributes our products. It is important to emphasise that both have been negative for ASF so far.”

To gain an impression: What is the South Korean pig ­industry like?

“South Korea’s herd consists of around 11 million heads, 1 million of which are sows. In 2018 more than 17 million pigs were slaughtered.”

“The industry is a mixture – apart from professional farms – there are also still quite a few medium-sized family farms with 50-100 pigs and older pig housing, for example. I think that the bio­security on those farms is not always as good as it should be.”

“Luckily, South Korea does have a stable and industrialised value chain and a strong governmental veterinary organisation. And that is important if the virus is to be eradicated from farms. Otherwise it will be much more difficult to fight the virus. Imagine if a backyard farmer finds that 5% of his herd is suddenly sick… What is he going to do if there is little or no compensation? He is going to sell his pigs quickly in a non-affected area. This is how it spread in China, in Vietnam and on Luzon island, in the Philippines.”

What is the current government strategy to combat the outbreaks?

“The most recent news is that they are going to cull 145,000 pigs in a zone close to the border in order to contain the virus in north-west South Korea.”