S. Korea bans German pork due to African swine fever scare

South Korea has banned German pork imports after a wild boar from the European country was found infected with African swine fever (ASF).

According to German authorities, ASF was found in samples from a wild boar from the state of Brandenburg.

South Korea's import ban will affect products that have been shipped on Sept. 10.

German pork imports already in South Korea or will reach the country before the ban is implemented on Sept. 10 will be checked thoroughly at customs.
Those that pass the inspections will be allowed into the country.

South Korea has been struggling with ASF outbreaks, particularly near the border with North Korea.

There is no effective vaccine against ASF, which poses no direct threat to humans but can devastate livestock.

It is also possible that key customers such as China could ban pork shipments from the country. China banned pork shipments from Belgium in 2018 after two cases of ASF among wild boars were confirmed.

Germany also exports pork and pork products to other EU countries, most notably Italy.