Tierseuche - Hunters ask farmers for patience regarding pig plague during harvest
The African Swine Fever (ASF) is causing problems for the ongoing Harvest in the affected region in South Hesse, according to the Hessian Hunting Association. In the protection zone, not only permits for harvesting are required, but each field must also be flown over with drones right before the start, said a spokesperson for the Hessian Hunting Association to the German Press Agency.
If wild boars are discovered in these fields, they cannot be harvested immediately. This is particularly problematic for rapeseed, as wild boars usually stay in one place for a long time due to the dense vegetation. If the harvest is started despite this, there is a risk that the animals will flee, travel long distances, and possibly spread the ASP agent further.
Hunters fear: The peak of the spread of the Disease is yet to come
Generally, it can be expected that the peak of the spread of the animal disease is still to come, according to the Hessian Hunting Association. "We are finding more and more carcasses. More numbers will come to us," said the spokesperson. The Hessian Ministry of Agriculture recently listed 20 confirmed cases of ASP in the region.
The situation is also problematic due to the unstable weather conditions with frequent rain showers, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the Hessian Farmers' Association. "It's already difficult to find a window of time for the harvest. Then everything has to be coordinated with the drone teams." They have now set up a separate email address for drone pilots to contact farmers to help them search for wild boars.
Difficult coordination of harvesting and drone deployments
Winter barley and soon also winter wheat are ready for harvesting, said the spokesperson. While some farmers harvest themselves or in cooperation with colleagues from their respective regions, others hire farming companies that plan their harvesting operations tightly. Disruptions are not always easy to coordinate. If there is additional financial burden for the farmers, they must bear it themselves. "We are trying to make it change," said the spokesperson.
The spokesperson for the Hessian Hunting Association appealed to farmers to plan as much time buffer as possible for the harvest and to work closely with authorities, the hunting association, and drone and cadaver-sniffing dog teams. It is difficult to determine exactly how many wild boars live in Hessen, said the spokesperson. There have been years when around 96,000 animals were shot in the state, but this also depends on the food supply, such as whether there are many acorns, which are a favorite food of the animals.
The African Swine Fever is dangerous for both wild and domestic pigs and usually runs its course fatally. There is no way to protect pigs through vaccination. The disease can be transmitted directly from animal to animal or indirectly through contaminated objects such as clothing and shoes, as well as feed. On Monday, it was reported that the disease had been detected for the first time in a domestic pig in Hessen. A farm with nine pigs was affected near Biebesheim am Rhein (Gross-Gerau district). The herd was culled and a protection and monitoring zone was set up around the farm.
- To prevent the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) during the harvest, drones are used to fly over fields in the protection zone in Southern Hesse.
- The peak of the spread of the ASF in wild boars is predicted to happen soon, according to the Hessian Hunting Association, causing concern among hunters.
- The Hessian Ministry of Agriculture has confirmed 20 cases of ASF in the region, making it a significant concern for farmers and livestock.
- The coordination between farmers and drone teams for wild boar hunting in the protection zone is complicated due to the unstable weather conditions and tight harvesting schedules.
- The spokesperson for the Hessian Farmers' Association emphasized the need for a window of time for harvest and cooperation with drone teams to locate wild boars.
- The African Swine Fever is a dangerous disease for both wild and domestic pigs, which can be transmitted indirectly through contaminated objects or feed.
- Recently, the first case of ASF was detected in a domestic pig in Hessen, leading to the culling of the affected herd and the establishment of a protection and monitoring zone around the farm, according to the German Press Agency and Agriculture departments.
