A framework for assessing the economic impact of classical swine fever (CSF
) is presented, including an analysis of direct and indirect costs. Direct
costs are divided into calculated costs, expenditure on control measures (p
ayable costs) and costs due to financial transfers. The economic impact of
current control strategies is described using practical examples. In most c
ases, the largest part of the direct costs is associated with transport sta
ndstill measures, of which approximate to 45% are calculated costs. Alterna
tive strategies, still based on non-vaccination offer a potential for reduc
ing these costs. Various economic aspects of emergency vaccination are desc
ribed using as an example, a hypothetical optimistic CSF case. In order to
explore the impact of applying emergency vaccination using marker vaccines,
additional research is required using simulation modelling. This research
should include an assessment of risk and uncertainty with respect to calcul
ating the epidemiological impact and the direct costs. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sc
ience B.V. All rights reserved.