Farmer raising indigenous pig breeds: How to save Moravka and Resavka amid African swine fever

Marko Jevtić, a farmer from Velika Plana, Serbia, has significantly scaled back his operations, reducing three pig farms to just one. His remaining farm is dedicated to raising native breeds, Moravka and Resavka, in a spacious, one-and-a-half-hectare free-range environment. Jevtić was forced to close two other farms, which housed 850 fattening pigs, in December because he could not find buyers, citing market saturation with imported meat.

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We are left to the mercy of fate, to fight on our own.

The region of Velika Plana declared a state of emergency on July 21 due to the African swine fever virus. Jevtić is critical of the government's handling of the outbreak, stating that farmers feel abandoned. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, African swine fever has been confirmed in eight districts, 13 municipalities, 61 settlements, and 821 farms across Serbia, with a total of 33,850 pigs having died or been euthanized since the beginning of the year.

Jevtić highlighted that the emergency was declared 20 days after the first case was recorded in his village, Veliko Orašje, on July 1. He claims the municipality has done nothing to implement necessary measures, such as establishing isolation zones or disinfectant barriers. He noted that while 104 pigs were culled on July 1 due to the virus, another 130 were euthanized on July 30 on a different farm. Jevtić expressed deep dissatisfaction, stating that farmers were not officially informed about the situation and that he only knew what to do due to his years of experience.

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The municipality is doing nothing about it.

He specifically raises concerns about the lack of biosecurity, contrasting his municipality with Mačva, where such measures are in place. Jevtić is particularly focused on preserving the indigenous Moravka and Resavka pig breeds. He points out that statistics show no cases of African swine fever among these native breeds, although research suggests they are not immune. He believes his free-range system and strict personal biosecurity measures, including disinfection for anyone entering his farm and preventing contact with wild boars, are crucial for their survival. He acknowledges that ultimately, farmers are left to fend for themselves against the virus.

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There isn't a single pig that is infected, that is of the indigenous Moravka or Resavka breed.