Croatia lifts last remaining ASF containment zone

Croatia is lifting the last remaining African swine fever containment zone, Agriculture Minister David Vlajčić announced Friday.

“We are lifting the restrictions on the final strict protection and monitoring zone because it has been 30 days since the last confirmed case of African swine fever,” Vlajčić said.

The zone covers a 10-kilometer radius around the villages of Lug, Podravje, and Vardarac in Osijek-Baranja County.

Pig farmers can now resume slaughtering, but must notify their local veterinarian 48 hours in advance. The sale of pork products can also resume. However, the minister cautioned that because the virus is still present in neighboring countries, the rule requiring pigs to be culled if new cases appear in Osijek-Baranja County will remain in effect.