On the issue of combating African swine fever (ASF) Ukraine and Poland should actively use the mutual experience and coordinate their efforts to ensure effective inter-agency communication. This was discussed at joint Ukrainian-Polish conference "African swine fever - the threat of pig industry" held on April 6, 2017 in Lviv.

The event was attended by Director of Directorate for Food Safety and Veterinary of SSUFSCP Borys Kobal, Director of Department  for Agricultural Development of Lviv Regional State Administration Natalia Khmyz, Vice-president of the Lublin Agricultural Chamber (Poland) Gustav Yendreyek, Head of the Direction of the Lublin Agricultural Chamber (Poland) Waldemar Banakh, Chief Veterinarian Officer of Lublin province (Poland) Pawel Piotrowski, representatives of Volyn region, Chief Inspectors of Veterinary Medicine in districts and cities and leaders of pigs farms of Lviv region.

As was stressed during the conference by Mr. Borys Kobal, the current situation of African swine fever in Ukraine remains complicated. In 2016 was detected 91 ASF infected points and in current year – 63. Since 2012 in Ukraine was registered 211 cases of ASF in 23 regions of Ukraine. The Lviv region currently free from virus and it is extremely important to take effective preventive measures against entry of the ASF pathogen to the region.

"We are grateful to the Polish side for cooperation in issues of fighting against ASF in Ukraine and minimizing the risks of the disease spreading to Poland and the EU", - said Borys Kobal.

At the same time, Natalia Khmyz underlined that it is important for Lviv region to prevent the occurrence and spread of the virus as Lviv region is the only area free of ASF. A pig industry provides valuable and vital food for population and remains the most promising area in the agricultural business.