As a solution to the issue of wild boar population, Norway may construct a fence on its border with Sweden. This is in response to the outbreak of African swine fever in Sweden in the previous year.

Norway’s food safety authority and environment agency have proposed a plan to cull up to 2,000 wild boars due to the perceived threat they pose to commercial pig farming.

In addition to overseeing the population and its effects, the organizations also suggest enhancing the effectiveness of hunting wild boars, permitting the sale of meat from hunted wild boars, and mandating producers to install a “boar-proof fence” to safeguard outdoor pig farming.

One possible solution is to construct a barrier on the Norwegian border to block boars from entering the country from neighboring Sweden. It is estimated that there are currently up to 300,000 boars in Sweden. Denmark has effectively reduced its wild boar population by implementing a fence along its border with Germany.

A viral illness known as African swine fever has been detected in deceased wild boars located near Fagersta, which is approximately 90 miles (145km) northwest of Stockholm. This disease poses a significant threat to wild boars and pigs, but it does not affect humans.

According to Karl Ståhl, an official in charge of animal disease control in Sweden, the chances of swine fever occurring in the country are currently nonexistent. The last wild boar that tested positive for the disease passed away in September and there is no evidence of the disease being actively transmitted within Sweden.

The illness has been in Europe since 2007 and in the EU region since 2014.

Earlier this month, Geir Pollestad, the minister of agriculture and food in Norway, announced that efforts were being made to implement enhanced measures to decrease the population of wild boars.

According to him, an outbreak of swine fever in Norway would have significant impacts on pig farmers and also limit hunting, forestry, and outdoor activities in the infected areas.

The biggest concentration of wild boars in Norway can be found in the county of Østfold, located in the southeastern region and bordering Sweden. However, there have also been sightings of these animals in the neighboring county of Innlandet, which is known for its agricultural activities, as well as in areas further north.

Ole-Herman Tronerud, Norway’s chief veterinary officer, said a fence on the border with Sweden could have an impact on wild boar population numbers, but that “a lot of investigating and information gathering” needed to be done first.

He stated that the risk of ASF infection in Norway has not increased due to the outbreak in Sweden, both in the short and long term, as long as the outbreak is controlled in Sweden.

Source: theguardian.com