The European Committee of the Regions, on the initiative of Sławomir Sosnowski, Member of the Lubelskie Regional Assembly, will adopt an opinion on African swine fever (ASF) at its October plenary session. Local and regional authorities point out that the African swine fever epidemic constitutes a threat to rural development and the pork market.

Members of the Commission for Natural Resources (NAT) of the European Committee of the Regions met in Brussels for the 24rd NAT Commission meeting. The CoR expressed its view that ageing is a hidden opportunity, African swine fever (ASF) is a threat and a challenge at local, regional, national and European level and that maintaining pastoralism is crucial for agriculture throughout the EU. Ossi Martikainen (FI/ALDE), the Chair of the NAT Commission, led the meeting.