Local governments can aid fight against African Swine Fever, says expert

Antun Golubović, former president of the Swine Husbandry Committee of the Croatian Chamber of Agriculture, has proposed that local governments could play a more active role in supporting farmers battling African Swine Fever (ASF).

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It would help if municipalities and counties distributed a kilogram or two of disinfectants and a few square meters of sponge to farmers.

Golubović suggests that municipalities and counties could provide much-needed assistance by donating small quantities of disinfectants and materials for disinfection barriers. He believes such symbolic aid would significantly help farmers, especially those facing severe economic hardship. Golubović, who lost his own pigs to ASF in a previous epidemic, understands the devastating impact of the disease.

His comments come as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, David Vlajčić, announced intensified efforts to control the outbreak. Vlajčić confirmed that remaining pigs in four highly affected municipalities, Draž and Đurđenovac in Osijek-Baranja County, and Zdenci and Crnac in Virovitica-Podravina County, will be culled. This measure aims to prevent the spread of the disease to unaffected farms and new hotspots.

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We know that the situation on the ground is alarming and that it is increasingly difficult to fight the African Swine Fever (ASF) infection, but perhaps municipalities and counties could also help pig farmers with some donation.

Following the culling in these core areas, a ring around the hotspots will be monitored. Veterinarians and inspectors will verify compliance with biosecurity measures. Farms failing to rectify identified non-compliance issues within 10 days will face consequences. Minister Vlajčić emphasized the goal of preserving the domestic pig population while minimizing culling, but stressed that those who do not adhere to the regulations, which have been communicated for years, will not be spared.

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There is no point in waiting for the infection to take over the remaining farms that it has not yet reached, with the risk of new hotspots.