AN outbreak of African swine fever terrorising pig farmers in Europe has escalated with the confirmation that the deadly infection has spread to Belgium.

The discovery of the highly contagious disease in two wild boars found dead near the town of Étalle, in Gaume, has sparked calls for a mass cull of that species to protect western Europe’s pork industry.

The Dutch and French authorities have been put on high alert, while Belgium’s farming minister, René Collin, has ordered a ban on hunting until mid-October, along with restrictions on the movement of animals across a territory of 63,000 hectares in the south of the country. Walkers have been asked to stay on footpaths and 67 farms are being tested for signs of an outbreak.

African swine fever was last seen in Belgium in 1985, and led to the culling of 30,000 pigs. It causes haemorrhaging and is incurable in pigs, although it is not dangerous for humans.

Discovery of the disease in Europe’s second-largest farm in Romania last month resulted in the culling of 140,000 animals.

The Belgian Syndicat Agricole Général, representing Belgian farmers, has asked for the immediate “coordinated and controlled shooting of wild boars on the entire territory of Belgium”.

A spokesman said: “Only then can the outbreak be isolated and limited to the zone where the virus was diagnosed. Only then can the ticking time bomb be dismantled. No other option is possible.”

The government has urged calm. The European Commission said it would deploy experts to coordinate with the Belgian authorities.