Czech Republic to reduce mandatory pig trichinella testing by 2028

The State Veterinary Administration (SVS) of the Czech Republic plans to reduce the mandatory testing of domestic pigs for trichinella, a dangerous parasite, starting January 1, 2028. This shift moves away from the current practice of testing every pig slaughtered at slaughterhouses toward a selective approach.

The decision is based on the country's long-term favorable infection status, noting that the last confirmed case of trichinellosis in a domestic pig occurred in the 1950s. By implementing this change, the state expects to save tens of millions of Czech koruna annually in laboratory diagnostic costs. Last year, testing approximately 2.3 million domestic pigs cost the state roughly 44 million CZK.

Under European legislation, only farms that meet strict biological security criteria can be exempted from mandatory testing. These criteria include specific requirements for feed storage, pest control, protection against wild animals, and the disposal of deceased animals. Regional veterinary administrations will begin a wave of inspections starting September 1, 2026, focusing on breeding farms and those supplying slaughterhouses to prepare for the transition.