Wild Boar Hunting Permitted and Encouraged
Hunting wild boar is permitted and encouraged within the additional restricted zone as a tool for population control.
Hunters are required to ensure that samples are collected from every hunted wild boar and submitted to the Finnish Food Authority’s laboratory for ASF testing.
The movement of wild boar carcasses, fresh meat, meat products and any other products derived from wild boar is prohibited both within and outside the buffer zone.
Once a negative ASF test result has been received, the meat may be used for private consumption by the hunter and their household.
Animals that are not intended for private consumption must be disposed of in accordance with veterinary authority instructions.
Live Pigs May Not Be Moved Outside Finland
The movement of live pigs from the additional restricted zone to other countries is prohibited.
However, movements of pigs within Finland are not restricted.
Pig farms located within the buffer zone must ensure that both direct and indirect contact between domestic pigs and wild boar is effectively prevented.
Requirements have also been introduced for protective clothing and footwear, handwashing and disinfection for people entering pig holdings.
Some Hunting Restrictions Eased in the Infected Zone
The Finnish Food Authority has also revised some of the restrictions in the existing infected zone.
Outside the core area, where the strictest measures remain in place, certain types of hunting are now permitted, including:
- trapping small predators;
- hunting great cormorants and seals;
- protective hunting of barnacle geese;
- ambush hunting of elk in fields;
- all types of hunting in the marine part of the infected zone, as well as on islands and skerries.
Strict Restrictions on Dogs Remain in Place
Within the infected zone, dogs used to drive, flush, bark at or hold game may not be allowed off leash. The restriction also applies to training.
Other dogs may only be allowed off leash if they remain under such close control that they can be immediately leashed.
Within the core area, dogs may only be walked on a leash and along roads. Moving with dogs off-road remains prohibited.
Exceptions apply to enclosed dog parks, marine areas and islands, as well as service dogs and dogs used in official operations to search for large game.
The updated rules are intended to reduce the risk of the virus spreading beyond the affected area while allowing more targeted control of the wild boar population.
PigUA.info, based on materials from ruokavirasto.fi