The core sector is the best in its class
Each company active in the food chain must be known to the FASFC and systematically vetted by the agency with a predetermined frequency. The end result can be either matched (favorable, with or without feedback), to everyone’s satisfaction, or mismatch (unfavorable). “In the latter case, action must be taken,” Derricks said.
The primary sector achieves the highest compliance rate: at least 90 percent of the examinations performed meet the requirements. During processing, 88.3 percent of the checks are compatible, in the distribution this figure is 66.2 percent.
However, the FASFC hotline that consumers can complain to, received significantly more reports on the short chain this year. “In 2020, consumers are turning more to the short chain,” explains Derricks. “We registered about 21 complaints in 2020, compared to one complaint in 2019. We mainly receive questions about the way products are presented, for example about questions about the product itself or questions about the production process.”
swine and avian flugri
On November 20, 2020, Belgium will restore free status for the control of African swine fever (ASF) at the European level. A month later, on December 21, 2020, the same will happen internationally through the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), when Belgium regains its free status for all species of suidae (boars and wild boars). “Restoring this situation quickly would not have been possible without exemplary cooperation at the federal and regional levels,” Derricks said.
However, pork exports to the 20 or so countries that had imposed bans did not automatically resume after granting free status. At the end of 2020, 13 countries still maintained the ban on Belgian pork.
In addition to the African swine fever virus, another virus, the bird flu virus, has entered our country. “Given the increased risks in Belgium, Federal Agriculture Minister David Clarenval has announced a period of increased risk for us on November 1, 2020,” said Derricks. This allowed additional measures to be taken to reduce the risk of the virus entering Belgian poultry farms. The migration route of birds is clearly out of your control, but thanks to the biosecurity measures that are permanently applied in professional companies and thanks to the effective monitoring, prevention and management system established by the FASFC, the presence and spread of the virus is limited in Belgium.”
Intensive preparations for Britain’s exit from the European Union
Although Brexit was formally (politically) introduced on January 31, 2020, the economic and trade consequences will not become fully visible until the end of the transition period on December 31, 2020.
