Swine fever, the EU extends the red zone up to Langhirano. Parma Ham at risk?

Swine fever arrives in Langhirano and now threatens one of the most symbols of Made in Italy, Parma Ham. Following the discovery of a wild boar carcass that tested positive for African swine fever (PSA)in the countryside of Varano de’ Melegari, the European Union has I imposed the extension of the red zone, with possible risks for the well-known product. “Production companies located in restriction zones II – explained the Parma Ham Consortium in a note – will no longer be able to ship their product to Canada”. China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Mexico have also closed their doors to “dangerous” products in recent months.

Langhirano is still in restriction zone I

The biggest fear is that the African swine fever virus could soon affect other territories. Langhirano is located in zone I and, at least for the moment, there are no export restrictions for Parma Ham companies. But the risks are very high and the producers are very worried. In the warehouses there are hundreds of thousands of legs stored and ready to leave for international markets. A possible stop would represent unsustainable economic damage.

Blocking exports would cause enormous economic damage

“Blocking exports would mean sacrificing 30 percent of the sales of PDO hams – highlights the president of Assosuini, Elio Martinelli -. The main foreign markets for Parma are the USA, France and Germany.” And it’s the fault of the institutions, once again too slow in making decisions. “In January 2022, the area where the first carcass of a Psa-positive wild boar was found in Liguria should have been limited and potentially infected ungulates eliminated with targeted culling. It hasn’t been done and in these two years there has also been a lack of determined and organized action. While we farmers have secured the farms since last summer, with nets and protections, nothing has been done to combat infected wild boars.”

The Minister of Agricultural Policies also intervenes

“We are working to avoid blocking exports – explains the Minister of Agricultural Policies Francesco Lollobrigida – it would be enormous damage in economic terms. We are trying to convince the EU to allow regulations that guarantee exported products with respect to animal safety”.

However, Italian products remain safe, which is why many other countries have no restrictions. Safety is guaranteed by the long maturation (minimum 14 months) which leaves no escape virus, unable to survive for periods of time exceeding 400 days. Parma Ham DOP is among the few Italian delicatessen products to provide a guarantee of this type.

April 19, 2024