Croatian Hunters Deny Blame for Swine Fever Spread, Urge Focus on Farm Biosecurity

The Croatian Hunting Association (HLS) has strongly refuted accusations from the Croatian Chamber of Agriculture (HPK) that hunters are to blame for the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF). HLS emphasized that hunters have consistently fulfilled their duties responsibly and professionally, adhering to all directives from relevant authorities.

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We consider it unacceptable that, instead of directing their own capacities towards solving real problems in the area of biosafety, the public is being misled by blaming other stakeholders for failures within the swine farming system.

In a statement, HLS declared its unwillingness to engage in public disputes with other institutions regarding ASF. Instead, the association stressed that only through collective and responsible behavior can the risk of disease spread be minimized. HLS criticized the HPK for attempting to mislead the public by blaming other stakeholders for failures within the swine farming system, rather than focusing its resources on addressing genuine biosafety issues.

HLS suggested that the HPK, as the representative body for agricultural producers, should prioritize educating, monitoring, and assisting its members in implementing mandatory biosafety measures. The association highlighted the unacceptable situation where some farms still fail to meet prescribed biosafety standards, while the hunting sector is unfairly targeted.

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Hunters are not the problem in the system of fighting ASF but one of the responsible partners implementing prescribed measures.

Both organizations acknowledge the severity of the ASF crisis, which threatens the Croatian pig farming industry. The HPK had previously warned that domestic pig farming is on the brink of bankruptcy, facing challenges from import lobbies and significant losses, with ASF being a final blow. They pointed to the uncontrolled wild boar population as a "biological bomb" while farmers adhere to strict biosecurity rules. HLS reiterated its commitment to responsible fieldwork and cooperation with authorities, urging all parties to assume responsibility for their respective domains and ensure consistent application of biosafety measures.

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It is high time that all stakeholders take responsibility for the area for which they are competent.