The Persistent Pig Plague: War on African Swine Fever Rages On
The prolonged effort to overcome African swine fever persists for multiple years - Protracted Battle Against Swine Fever Underway
Let's dive into the thorny issue that's got farmers, authorities, and even local residents, riled up. The kicker? It all started in Hesse. On June 15, last year, Africa's dreaded Swine Fever raised its ugly head, causing quite the chaos. As a result, farmers had to do an unwelcome mass culling of their precious herds. Hundreds of kilometers of fences were hastily thrown up to halt the spread, for this fever is almost always lethal to pigs. And the saga isn't close to wrapping up, with infections and their related fallout still ongoing. "It looks like we're in for years, not months," laments Marie-Claire von Spee, the spokesperson for the Hessian Farmers' Association.
With the detection of the disease, containment zones were set up, restricting the freedom of farmers, hunters, and even the local populace. Shortly thereafter, the virus crept its way into backyard pig herds in the district of Groß-Gerau. Thousands of pigs had to be culled. The origin of the virus in Hesse remains unclear.
The bill stands at over 20 million euros and rising
By the end of May 2025, the Hessian Ministry of Agriculture reported that over 20 million euros had been spent on fencing materials alone. Personnel costs and expenses incurred by the affected districts have yet to be calculated. "Approximately 280 kilometers of permanent fence and approximately 300 kilometers of mobile electric fence have been built," the ministry shared. These temporary fences are currently being taken down. The federal government is pushing to split the costs as Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Brandenburg, and Saxony are also in the grip of the virus.
Farmers bear the brunt of financial stress
Some restrictions have been eased in certain areas, but the pinch is undeniable for the farmers. "Especially pig farmers hit by containment zone 3 have taken a major hit, and many have abandoned pig farming," notes von Spee.
In the now-lifted containment zone with confirmed pig cases, the strictest regulations were enforced: farmers received nothing at slaughterhouses, and uninsured operations were forced to bear the cost with no income. In the surrounding containment zone 2, marketing has resumed, but with economic losses.
Thousands of wild boar carcasses discovered
"More than 2,000 wild boars have met their end at the hands of the infection," reveals Markus Stifter, the spokesman for the State Hunting Association. These unfortunate animals tested positive. In total, over 5,000 carcasses or remains, such as bones, have been uncovered. Cadaver dogs are still employed in the hunt for deceased or infected animals.
Only if no infected pig is found for a year can the restrictions be lifted. "It's a heavy duty for the hunters," says Stifter. Initially, there was a hunting ban in some regions. Now, many pigs have multiplied and must be hunted, but nothing can be sold or exported because of the ongoing crisis. The alternative is the disposal of the hunted pigs.
Entire populations must be eradicated
"We are no longer in the realm of regular hunting but disease control," says Stifter. A large portion of the pigs from zone 2 will not be utilized. "But it's a necessary evil. We can only eliminate the disease if we wipe out the wild boar population as well." In some areas, the entire population must be exterminated.
During hunting, wild boars would not return to the same spot if shooting occurred there. "The sow is smart," says Stifter. They would sense the hunting pressure and avoid that area. According to the ministry, since the resumption of hunting, predominantly from mid-March, over 2,400 wild boars have been culled in the two restricted zones.
Hunters brace for further spread
The main concern is that there will be new entries into domestic pig populations in the summer," says Stifter. This has also occurred in other regions, for unclear reasons. "It could continue to spread." In other regions, this has been ongoing for five years. There is also still the risk of a "secondary entry," possible via truck drivers, possibly from abroad.
"All involved parties are running on fumes," warns Stifter. "If something happens elsewhere, that would be a disaster." Eventually, capacities - such as testers or veterinary offices - will be stretched to their limits.
Peak surpassed?
In the core area, infected wild boars are still being discovered, the ministry reports. However, the pig population has significantly decreased. "It seems that the number of cases has peaked."
In so-called white zones, which are completely enclosed by a fence, all pig herds are removed. "To eradicate African swine fever, after the establishment of white zones, all surviving wild boars, too, must be removed in the core area," the ministry stated. Because not all pig carcasses of infected, deceased pigs will be found, and the virus has a very high resistance.
Keywords:- Swine Fever- Animal Disease- Pigs- Hesse- Hunters- Virus- Crisis Mode- Baden-Württemberg- Hunting- Rhineland-Palatinate- Wild Boar- Wiesbaden- Friedrichsdorf- Groß-Gerau- BMELV- Brandenburg- Restricted Zone
Little-Known Facts:- The first African Swine Fever case in Hesse was detected on a main road south of Rüsselsheim, spreading quickly to large parts of southern Hesse and even beyond the state borders in Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg.- This outbreak highlights the need for vigilant biosecurity measures on pig farms to prevent transmission from wild boars, which act as reservoirs and vectors for the virus[1].- Strict transport standards and hygiene protocols should be enforced to minimize the risk of cross-contamination and virus spread.
In short, the devastating African Swine Fever swept through Hesse, driving up costs, placing a heavy toll on farmers, challenging hunters, and disrupting the lives of local residents. Biosecurity measures, containment zones, and hunts have been employed in attempts to manage and contain the outbreak, with significant financial and operational impacts on various stakeholders.
The Commission, in light of the ongoing African Swine Fever crisis, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a Council Regulation on the application of the provisions of the Treaty on European Union to the common agricultural policy, potentially aiding in the management of future outbreaks of similar diseases.
While the fight against African Swine Fever requires the immediate attention of farmers, authorities, and hunters, it is crucial not to overlook the importance of science and medical-conditions research in finding long-term health-and-wellness solutions for both the agricultural sector and the animals involved.
