Pig farms in Romania are being forced to adopt strict biosecurity measures in the context of the re-emergence of African swine fever (ASF). The new requirements from ANSVSA mandate double fencing, mandatory disinfection at entry points, electronic record-keeping, and clear restrictions regarding visitors and staff.

These measures are essential to prevent the spread of outbreaks but require significant investments. Estimates from the Romanian Pork Producers Association show that a medium-sized farm must allocate between €50,000 and €100,000 to fully implement the regulations.

Failure to comply with the rules puts farms at risk of having operations suspended and suffering significant losses. Farmers operating in high-risk areas must constantly notify the authorities and implement full traceability for every animal.

To support farmers, some funding lines through AFIR provide grants dedicated to investments in veterinary infrastructure, but the absorption rate remains low.

Adapting pig farms to the new standards is not just a legal obligation, but a survival condition for a sector already affected by market volatility and import competition.

(Photo: Freepik)