Saxony Regains ASF-Free Status

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Saxony Regains ASF-Free Status

After more than 12 months without a new detection, Saxony is officially ASF-free again, while ASF control and zoning continue in other German states.

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Martina Osmak

Director of Marketing

Saxony declared ASF-free

The federal state of Saxony is once again classified as free of African swine fever (ASF). The decision follows a full year without any new confirmed cases after the last detection in a wild boar in February 2025.

As required under EU animal-health rules, Saxony will now apply to the European Commission for the formal lifting of remaining ASF restriction zones.

ASF situation in Saxony: key figures

During the outbreak period, Saxony was one of the most heavily affected regions in eastern Germany.

  • Around 2,400 confirmed ASF cases in wild boar

  • Peak spread in 2023, when roughly one-third of the state was under restriction

  • About 830 km of fencing installed for containment

    • Nearly 480 km already dismantled following risk reduction

  • No outbreaks in domestic pig herds during the later phase of the epidemic

The absence of new detections for over 12 months fulfills the criteria for regaining ASF-free status.

National picture: progress, but continued pressure

Across Germany, ASF has not been eradicated. Case numbers are declining overall, but several states remain under pressure.

  • The vast majority of detections continue to be in wild boar

  • Domestic pig outbreaks remain limited in number but high impact

  • High-incidence states include Brandenburg and Hesse

  • ASF monitoring and zoning remain dynamic, based on new findings

Brief timeline of recent developments

  • 2020 – First ASF case detected in Saxony (wild boar, likely linked to cross-border spread)

  • 2023 – Peak phase in Saxony; extensive restriction zones and fencing

  • Feb 5, 2025 – Last confirmed ASF case in Saxony (wild boar, Bautzen district)

  • Mid–late 2025 – New ASF detections in North Rhine-Westphalia; continued outbreaks in Hesse

  • Early 2026 – Saxony qualifies for ASF-free status after 12 months without new cases

Implications for the meat and livestock trade

Saxony’s ASF-free status is relevant for:

  • Regional pig movements and sourcing

  • Trade logistics and planning

  • Risk assessments for slaughter and processing capacity

However, the national situation means:

  • Trade conditions remain uneven across federal states

  • Rapid re-zoning is still possible if new cases emerge

  • Long-term biosecurity and surveillance remain critical for market stability

Outlook

Saxony’s exit from ASF restrictions shows that sustained containment measures can succeed. For the German meat sector, this is a positive signal—but not a final resolution. As long as ASF persists in neighboring states and wild boar populations, the risk of re-introduction remains, and regulatory flexibility will continue to shape trade conditions.

Source: https://www.agrarheute.com/markt/tiere/asp-deutschland-faelle-ueberblick-572954

Saxony Regains ASF-Free Status | MeatBorsa News