After the extensive spread of the African swine fever virus (ASFV) genotype II in Eastern Europe, the first case of African swine fever (ASF) in Estonia was diagnosed in September 2014. By the end of 2019, 3971 ASFV-positive wild boars were found, and 27 domestic pig outbreaks were reported. A selection of ASFV isolates from wild boar and domestic pigs (during the period of September 2014–2019) was molecularly characterized using standardized genotyping procedures. One of the proven markers to characterize this virus is the central variable region (CVR) within the B602L gene. In summer 2015, a new ASFV genotype II CVR variant 2 (GII-CVR2) was confirmed in Estonia. The results suggest that the GII-CVR2 variant was only confirmed in wild boar from a limited area in southern Estonia in 2015 and 2016. In addition to GII-CVR2, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that resulted in amino acid change was identified within the genotype II CVR variant 1 (GII-CVR1). The GII-CVR1/SNP1 strain was isolated in Estonia in November 2016. Additional GII-CVR1/SNP1 cases were confirmed in two neighbouring counties, as well as in one outbreak farm in June 2017. Based on the available data, no GII-CVR2 and GII-CVR1/SNP1 have been reported by other affected European countries. The spread of variant strains in Estonia has been limited over time, and restricted to a relatively small area.

The BIOPIGEE project (part of the One Health European Joint Programme under Horizon 2020) aimed to identify relevant measures to effectively control Salmonella, and another zoonotic pathogen, hepatitis E virus (HEV) within the pig meat food chain. The aim of this study was to identify biosecurity measures or management practices that are relevant for limiting Salmonella and/or HEV occurrence and spread within pig slaughterhouses. This was with the final goal of compiling a list of biosecurity measures for different processes and operations along the slaughter line with evidence of their effectiveness. To achieve this, a literature review was conducted on studies estimating the effectiveness of measures applied in slaughterhouses to reduce the microbial contamination of pig carcasses. Results of this literature search are discussed and presented in summary tables that could be used as a source of information for the pig slaughter industry to further develop their guidelines on hygienic slaughter.

Risk factors related to external biosecurity have been considered to play a major role in the introduction and spread of African swine fever (ASF) in domestic pig populations. The aim of the study was to describe the biosecurity levels and management practices of ASF outbreak and uninfected herds and to identify potential risk factors for ASF introduction. Data collected from the outbreak herds during outbreak investigations and from the randomly selected uninfected herds were analyzed. The biosecurity score in ASF outbreak herds was significantly lower compared to uninfected herds. However, this may reflect general improvement in the application of biosecurity measures in pig farms over time as the data on uninfected herds were collected later, at a time when intensified official controls may have had their effect. Larger herds were more at risk of being outbreak herds compared to smaller herds. The biosecurity parameters significantly associated with the outbreak herd status in multiple correspondence analysis were mostly related to indirect contacts with the outside farm environment. The biosecurity barriers applied in Estonian pig farms have not been sufficient to avoid ASF introduction and need critical evaluation and improvement. Reduction of all contacts between the farm and the external environment should be emphasized in a situation where ASF is circulating in wild boar populations close to pig farms.

Biosecurity is fundamental to animal health, public health, and the economic resilience of livestock systems; however, farm-level adoption remains uneven across regions. Knowledge gaps, language and financial constraints, and limited communication competence among veterinary advisers impede implementation, especially on small- and medium-scale farms. Behavior change-oriented interventions, such as Motivational Interviewing (which deploys multiple specific behavior change techniques as defined in BCTTv1), offer promise but are seldom embedded in veterinary curricula. This study proposes a concept and key elements for biosecurity training. It highlights a modular, evidence-based training framework developed under the COST Action CA20103 “BETTER” (2021–2025), aimed at improving biosecurity understanding and implementation by veterinarians and farmers. The initiative convened European experts to co-design a flexible curriculum that addresses both technical and behavioral challenges using participatory methods and interdisciplinary expertise. The resulting framework consists of five progressive modules: (1) Introduction, (2) Behavior Change and Communication, (3) Disease Transmission & Risk Assessment, (4) Emergency Response & Clinical Biosecurity, and (5) On-Farm Practices. These modules are designed to be combined in a “pick-and-choose” format to match local needs, target audiences and resources. Delivery blends online micro-lessons, participatory workshops, peer networks, and low-cost on-farm demonstrations, while materials are culturally and linguistically adapted and framed in terms of clear economic benefits. Continuous feedback loops encourage iterative refinement and habit formation during the learning process. The proposed training framework seeks to transform biosecurity from a prescriptive doctrine into a farmer-owned daily routine by integrating technical content with behavioral science and context-specific delivery.