The Croatian Agricultural Chamber has called on all farms to immediately comply with biosecurity measures, emphasizing that this is the only protection against a disease that has been threatening pig farming for the third year.
The Croatian Agricultural Chamber (HPK) issued an urgent appeal on Monday, August 10, 2026, to all agricultural holdings keeping pigs to comply, without exception or delay, with the legally prescribed biosecurity measures. African swine fever (ASF) has been one of the greatest threats to Croatian pig farming for the third year, and the Chamber stresses that it is an extremely dangerous infectious disease for which there is neither a vaccine nor effective treatment.
HPK specifically appealed to farms that have not yet aligned their facilities and pig-keeping practices with the prescribed minimum biosecurity requirements to do so immediately. "This appeal is not about finding someone to blame, nor does it mean that HPK attributes responsibility for the spread of African swine fever to Croatian pig farmers," the Chamber stated.
HPK President Željko Mihelić expressed particular concern over the growing number of social media posts spreading inaccurate information. "We are following with great concern the increasingly frequent posts on social media in which individuals, without any professional basis, deny the existence of African swine fever or claim that healthy pigs are being culled without justifiable reason," Mihelić said. He emphasized that such messages create doubt, disorient breeders, and may lead to the disregard of essential protective measures.
Mihelić appealed to all farmers not to base the protection of their farms on unverified data, but solely on the instructions of the veterinary profession and the biosecurity measures defined by law.
HPK stated that successful control of African swine fever is possible only if every participant in the system responsibly fulfills their obligations. They stressed that responsibility lies not only with pig farmers but also with hunting rights holders, hunters, the veterinary profession, competent institutions, transporters, forestry workers, and all individuals who may come into contact with the virus.
A special appeal was directed at those who come into contact with wild boars. Before arriving at farms where pigs are kept, they must disinfect footwear, clothing, equipment, and vehicles, and consistently adhere to prescribed biosecurity measures.
"We will not defeat African swine fever by pointing fingers at each other. We will only defeat it if each of us responsibly does what is our legal and professional obligation," Mihelić concluded.
