According to the Estonian Agricultural and Food Board, the most recent outbreak was confirmed on July 18 at the Kisla farm in the Kastre region in southeastern Estonia. As a result, approximately 6,000 pigs are to be culled.
Less than a month earlier, on June 28, another ASF outbreak was detected at the Tempo farm in Viljandi County. Over 2,700 pigs had to be culled there.
The outbreak at Tempo had an immediate impact on international trade. One of Finland’s largest food producers, Atria, suspended pork imports from Estonia due to veterinary risks. The company estimated losses of at least €600,000 due to disrupted supply chains.
According to Arvo Viltrop, Professor of Veterinary Biology and Population Medicine at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, these cases may signal the beginning of a new prolonged wave of ASF. He warns the epidemic could last up to two years in the country.
The professor emphasized that the main source of the virus is believed to be the wild boar population, which currently exceeds the recommended limit by twofold. In recent years, hunters have failed to reduce wild boar numbers, and many pig farms have not implemented proper protective measures — even basic fencing to prevent contact between domestic pigs and wild carriers of the virus.
Estonian experts are urging farms to strengthen biosecurity measures and intensify efforts to reduce the wild boar population. Without decisive action, ASF could spread further, severely damage export potential, and lead to long-term economic losses.
PigUA.info, based on materials from pigprogress.net