Farmers in Baranja angry over preventive cull to stop African swine fever

Croatia is grappling with an outbreak of anthrax but in Baranja pig farmers are facing a cull of their animals after African swine fever was detected on dozens of farms.

In Jagodnjak Municipality veterinary authorities have begun culling around 1,500 pigs due to an outbreak of African swine fever. To contain the virus, all pigs in the area are being euthanized, including healthy ones that may have come into contact with infected animals - a standard procedure under current regulations. Local farmers are outraged that the animals are being slaughtered without prior testing.

"I'm a pig farmer. I have about 15 animals, which we slaughter mostly for our own needs. If there is extra, we sell it. That's all we have,” said Lazar Tovjanin from Jagodnjak.

Slađana Sukić from Bolman is also frustrated with the decision and came out to protest along with other farmers on Monday.

"It's ok that they take blood samples for testing so they can see our animals are healthy. If they are sick, I will sign off immediately that they can take them away but until we have the tests, it's not fair to take people's pigs away. Not just mine, everyone's," said Sukić.

This region of Baranja is known for its pig farming and the production of kulen and other traditional cured meats.

A slew of containment measures have been enacted in the area but the cull has raised the most controversy. It is not the first time farmers have responded with fury to such an order from authorities. Croatia dealt with a major outbreak of African swine fever last summer.