Former head of the Pig Breeding Committee Antun Golubović called on local self-government units to support breeders with donations of disinfectants, while Minister Vlajčić announces the removal of remaining pigs in four hotspots.
The situation with African swine fever (ASF) in Croatia is becoming increasingly difficult, and a voice from the Croatian Chamber of Agriculture (HPK) warns that local authorities should also be involved in the fight against the infection. Antun Golubović, former president of the Pig Breeding Committee and a member of the HPK Assembly, proposed that municipalities and counties help farmers facing this disease with symbolic donations.
"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 help pig farmers with some kind of donation," Golubović told Večernji list. He emphasized that there are farms that live off 20, 30, or 50 pigs, and even the smallest help would significantly ease their daily struggle for survival.
Golubović's proposal is concrete and does not require large expenditures. "There are situations where people really live hard, and it would truly help them if some symbolic funds were set aside for them, and a kilogram or two of disinfectants and a few square meters of sponge for disinfection barriers, which are needed at the entrance to all facilities, were distributed," he explained.
Such help, according to his words, would have a twofold effect. On one hand, it would reward responsible breeders who adhere to strict biosecurity measures, and on the other, it would encourage those who are lagging behind in their implementation to wake up. "Some still do not believe in this disease or think it is far away, even though it can be in their yard and on their farm tomorrow," Golubović warned.
His appeal comes at a time when the state is preparing for radical moves in the four most threatened municipalities. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture David Vlajčić has announced in recent days the start of the removal of the remaining 400 or so pigs in the municipalities of Draž and Đurđenovac in Osijek-Baranja County, and Zdenci and Crnac in Virovitica-Podravina County. After that, veterinarians will visit a ring of about 300 farms surrounding these hotspots.
The minister is clear: the irresponsible will face consequences. Breeders have been given a 10-day deadline to correct observed non-compliance with prescribed biosecurity measures. Those who do not do so could lose their animals after August 12, 2026. "It is obvious that there is all sorts of things on the ground, so it would not be a big item for any municipality or county to set aside a little funds and show good will. They all know what the situation is now on the ground, how many registered breeders there are, and who has pigs or not," Golubović said.
Golubović also highlights the broader risk, warning that the fight against ASF is not only being waged in Slavonia. The infection can very quickly spread to Sisak-Moslavina or Karlovac County, either due to an influx of wild boars or due to human factors, including smuggling from neighboring countries, which Minister Vlajčić also warned about these days.
