Protection zones established in Osijek-Baranja County

The Croatian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has established new protection zones in Osijek-Baranja County in a bid to contain the spread of African swine fever that recently reappeared in two counties in the east of the country.

African swine fever appears to be spreading in eastern Croatia again, specifically in the Osijek-Baranja and Virovitica-Podravina counties. The Agriculture Ministry has issued a new decision establishing protection zones in Osijek-Baranja County, which includes the City of Našice and three surrounding municipalities, as well as one municipality near Đakovo and another near Beli Manistir.

"We can't identify any major hotspots right now, it's more spotty and scattered. Obviously, everyone with a reported case is being processed by the veterinary inspection in accordance with the regulations and they will all be compensated. However, those who were not in compliance with the measures will not be compensated. That is the risk of applying unscrupulous business practices on their farms," said the State Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Marinko Beljo.

On Saturday, Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister David Vlajčić held an emergency press conference at which he called the situation very serious, and announced that a meeting of the national crisis directorate will be convened next week to adopt new measures, including fines, and to revise biosecurity measures. He also said that he would meet with hunting associations.

Source: HRT