Strict measures in hunting grounds and forests due to African swine fever - Fines of up to RSD 3 million

In order to prevent the spread of African swine fever in Serbia, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management has issued new instructions for hunting grounds and forests throughout the country.

According to a statement from the ministry, all hunting ground users, state forest users and private forest owners are required to implement the measures immediately, consistently and without exception.

Systematic searches of forests and hunting grounds

Access and movement of people will be restricted in parts of hunting grounds located in high-risk areas. Exceptions apply to officials and persons carrying out hunting, forestry, veterinary and other essential activities, subject to mandatory implementation of biosecurity measures.

The Ministry of Agriculture states that hunting ground users must organize intensified active searches of the terrain to locate dead wild boars.

"Searches will be conducted systematically, according to designated zones that must be inspected within seven days, with daily records kept and reports submitted to the competent regional crisis centers," the statement said.

- Wild boars play a significant role in the spread and persistence of the African swine fever virus in nature. Therefore, systematic searches of the terrain, prompt reporting of every dead animal found and strict implementation of biosecurity measures are of crucial importance - Minister of Agriculture Prof. Dr. Dragan Glamocic said.

He stated that the African swine fever virus can be transmitted through footwear, clothing, equipment and vehicles, making it necessary to restrict movement in infected and at-risk areas and to carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection.

- The purpose of these measures is not to stop life and work in forests and hunting grounds, but to interrupt the routes of virus transmission, protect domestic pigs and preserve our pig farming industry - Glamocic said.

The statement further notes that every dead wild boar or parts thereof that are found must be reported without delay, and no later than within two hours, to the competent veterinarian or veterinary inspector.

When reporting, geographic coordinates or a precise description of the location where the carcass was found must be provided. Carcasses must not be handled independently or moved before the competent authorities arrive and samples are taken.

The same obligation, the Ministry of Agriculture states, applies to every wild boar culled for diagnostic purposes or as part of sanitary culling.

Population reduction culling in high-risk zones

The culling must be reported to the veterinary inspection no later than within two hours so that sampling and laboratory testing can be organized.

In high-risk zones, population reduction culling of wild boars, particularly sexually mature females, will be carried out in order to rapidly reduce the population and interrupt the routes through which the virus spreads.

Culling will be organized exclusively on the basis of an assessment of the epizootiological risk and under the supervision of veterinary and hunting inspectors.

In forests located in infected and at-risk areas, grazing, browsing and acorn feeding of domestic animals, as well as the collection of forest fruits, mushrooms, medicinal plants, snails and other products, are prohibited. The erection of tents and temporary structures, establishment of camps, public gatherings and movement of motor vehicles outside roads designated for traffic are also prohibited.

Precautionary measures for citizens

Citizens are not permitted to enter closed and prohibited sections of forests, fenced hunting grounds, forest nurseries or areas where forestry work is being carried out.

Forest users and owners are required to restrict or completely deny access to third parties, in accordance with the assessment of veterinary authorities, and to place signs in visible locations providing information about the prohibitions and measures in force.

All persons entering these areas as part of their official duties must clean and disinfect their footwear, equipment and vehicles.

Misdemeanor proceedings for violations of measures

Any observed illegal or dangerous activity in a forest must immediately be reported to the police, local authorities, a veterinary organization or the competent veterinary, forestry and hunting inspection authorities.

The ministry is urging citizens, hunters, foresters and forest owners to strictly comply with the prohibitions and instructions issued by the competent authorities.

African swine fever does not pose a danger to humans, but it spreads easily and can cause enormous damage to the pig farming industry.

For violations of the prescribed measures, the competent inspection authorities will initiate misdemeanor proceedings, while fines for legal entities, depending on the type of violation, may reach up to RSD 3 million.

Detailed instructions are available on the websites of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management and the Forest Directorate.

Ministarstvo poljoprivrede, šumarstva i vodoprivrede Republike Srbije

Uprava za šume Republike Srbije

Prof. Dr. Dragan Glamocic

African swine fever

hunting grounds