Croatia steps up fight against African swine fever

Agriculture Minister David Vlajčić met with the national crisis taskforce in Osijek today as Croatian pig farmers struggle with an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in Osijek-Baranja and Vukovar-Srijem counties.

The taskforce said current containment measures will remain in place as part of what Vlajčić called “a war on the animal disease.” These include round-the-clock monitoring of farms with more than 1,000 pigs, tighter border checks, and police escorts for veterinary inspectors in the field.

Vlajčić stressed that the goal is to prevent ASF from spreading to other counties.

“The aim is to stop further spread to Virovitica-Podravina, Požega-Slavonia, and Brod-Posavina counties and to contain the virus responsibly where it is present,” he said.

But he warned that the measures will only work if farmers follow them.

“Had the rules been followed from the start, we would not be in this situation,” Vlajčić said.

The first ASF outbreak was recorded in 2023, and prevention protocols have been in place since then, yet some farmers remain reluctant to comply. Vlajčić said the latest case—confirmed yesterday near Donji Miholjac—was a direct result of ignoring biosecurity measures.

Chief State Inspector Andrija Mikulić reported that of more than 400 recent inspections, 20% of farms were found in violation, mostly for illegal animal trade or biosecurity breaches. He urged farmers to “use common sense.”

Meanwhile, veterinary teams began culling about 10,000 pigs on Monday at a major Belje-owned farm in Baranja. The government is also stepping up efforts to reduce wild boar populations, which can carry the virus.