flickr.com/photos/lplewnia
Polish Minister of Agriculture Krzysztof Jurgiel has said the authorities intend to put up a fence along Poland’s border with Belarus and Ukraine to protect the country’s territory from wild boars amid fears that it is these animals who brought in African Swine Fever, Radio Poland reports.
The analysis of the legal and environmental conditions for the construction of a 729 km fence will be completed within two to three weeks, according to Radio Poland.
The Polish Minister of Agriculture reported that the project would cost some EUR 30 million.
According to experts, African swine fever was brought to Poland by the infected wild boars coming from the territory of Belarus.
According to Jurgiel, the fence should be constructed, despite the fact that in autumn the number of new hotbeds of African swine fever should be significantly reduced. The most dangerous months in this regard are June, July and August.
Read alsoPolish labor market boosts demand for UkrainiansThe minister also recalled the recently introduced harsher biosecurity requirements. In particular, the Polish Hunting Organization is obliged to reduce the number of wild boars in the territory threatened with the ASF spread to 0.1 boars per square kilometer.
Read alsoSwine fever outbreaks recorded in two Ukrainian regionsFarmers unable to meet biosecurity requirements can voluntarily refuse to grow pigs. Such a declaration was issued by more than 3,000 farms, where some 35,000 pigs are kept. According to the minister, in such cases, compensation is provided for.