Listen "The Pig Problem"
Episode Synopsis
A deadly and highly contagious disease is spreading across Europe's pig farms. African Swine Fever Virus doesn't harm humans, but once it infects domestic and wild pigs almost all of them die through internal bleeding within days.More than a million pigs are thought to have died as a result of the latest outbreak, devastating hundreds of farms and damaging exports. It's the first time the virus has ever hit Europe's pig farming heartland. With a vaccine still years off, and amid fears the disease could reach as far as China, we ask if the virus can be stopped, and how.
Emily Thomas meets people who think the answer lies in building fences between countries, genetically engineering pigs, and even calling in the army to hunt down disease-spreading wild boar.(Picture: A pig in a sty. Credit: Getty Images)
Emily Thomas meets people who think the answer lies in building fences between countries, genetically engineering pigs, and even calling in the army to hunt down disease-spreading wild boar.(Picture: A pig in a sty. Credit: Getty Images)
More episodes of the podcast The Food Chain
Family ties
25/12/2025
What is the ultimate hangover cure?
18/12/2025
Food heroes and villains
11/12/2025
How to eat well in the cold
04/12/2025
To tip or not to tip?
27/11/2025
Food by drones?
13/11/2025
Turmeric: The golden spice
06/11/2025
The chefs
30/10/2025
The coffee habit: Why do we love it so much?
22/10/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.