African Swine Fever Spreads: Pigs in Risk Zones Must Be Removed by August 12

Due to the daily spread of African swine fever to new farms, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has issued an Order on additional control measures. This order prohibits keeping pigs in high-risk areas of Virovitica-Podravina and Osijek-Baranja counties, and all animals must be removed no later than August 12, 2026.

At the same time, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture David Vlajčić announced intensified police and inspection controls focused on combating meat smuggling, which poses a constant threat to domestic production.

Three New Cases and Tightened Measures

According to data from Narodno.hr, three new cases of the disease were confirmed on Monday in Osijek-Baranja County, the country's largest pig farming area. Although the disease is currently spreading within existing hotspots, a large number of farms have already been affected, and the risk of transmission to new areas is increasing.

"Now that the disease is spreading to new farms day by day, waiting no longer saves pigs; it only increases the risk that we will eventually have to remove even more," said Minister Vlajčić. Veterinary inspectors and police are currently implementing measures in four municipalities where the situation is most critical, and there are approximately 600 registered pigs remaining in that area that will be removed.

Last Chance for Farmers

The Minister emphasized that the goal is not mass euthanasia. "The first scenario that appeared on my desk was drawing a line and euthanizing all farms with fewer than 1000 pigs. I simply could not allow that; I did not want to," Vlajčić revealed, adding that he hopes the educational efforts have borne fruit and that people will protect their livelihoods.

Approximately 300 farms near the hotspots will undergo enhanced veterinary surveillance. Farmers will receive specific instructions to rectify deficiencies and an additional period of ten days to comply with biosecurity measures. "This is the last chance to comply. Those who meet the prescribed rules continue production. Those with minor deficiencies get another ten days to fix them," Vlajčić stated.

Crackdown on Illegal Meat Trade

In addition to on-farm measures, the Minister specifically warned of the danger of illegal meat trade. He stressed that unregulated goods can travel hundreds of kilometers and open a new hotspot, destroying the efforts of conscientious producers. Osijek-Baranja County Prefect Nataša Tramišak called on everyone to consistently implement the measures, emphasizing that the consequences of uncontrolled spread in that key county would be far-reaching for supply and prices.

Over the past year, the Ministry has conducted extensive inspections, and veterinarians have performed more than 20,500 farm inspections. Farmers operating in compliance with regulations are entitled to full compensation for damages based on the market value of the animals, and all costs of implementing the measures, including euthanasia and disinfection, are covered by the state budget.

"Our goal is not to euthanize as many animals as possible; quite the opposite, it is to protect the Croatian pig population with the smallest possible number of removed pigs. That is why we are not carrying out blanket euthanasia across the entire area, although many advocate for it, but rather we are proceeding step by step and giving people one more, final chance to protect their farms and preserve production," concluded Minister Vlajčić.