AN MEP’s last speech at the European Parliament raised the fears of Wyedean pig farmers about the threat of the Forest’s wild boar spreading African Swine Fever.

Conservative agriculture spokesperson Anthea McIntyre, lives in Ross-on-Wye and was MEP for the west midlands until Britain’s withdrawal from the EU last Friday.

She highlighted the dangers posed by African Swine Fever (ASF) to British pig farming in her last speech in the parliament’s Agriculture Committee.

Farmers fear the spread of the disease from mainland Europe and how disastrous it would be to the British pig population if it reached our shores.

“Britain was scarred forever by the devastating outbreak of foot and mouth disease in 2001 when over six million cows and sheep were killed,” she said. “Farmers in my area are very aware of the potential dangers of an outbreak of ASF.”

She went on to describe the circumstances for a local farmer who breeds Middle White pigs ay symonds Yat near huntsham Bridge, saying: “These pigs are a very rare breed. In fact, they are more rare than the giant panda! An outbreak of ASF could completely wipe out the Middle White breed.

“ASF can be brought in to a country through contaminated meat products, maybe in a sandwich, and it is then spread by wild boar.

“I do not believe that the authorities are doing enough to control the wild boar population in the Forest of Dean.

“The importance of bio security is very well recognised, but it is just not possible for every farmer to protect their farms from the encroachment of wild boar.

“The practicality of keeping wild boar out, as I know for myself, is just about impossible.”

The Committee was told that ASF only affects wild boar and domestic pigs and that it kills one hundred percent of infected animals.