Knowing biosecurity rules and applying them consistently in practice are two different tasks. Simulation exercises for hunting grounds are designed to bridge that gap: participants practise actions that are critical to minimising the risk of African swine fever (ASF) spreading.
The training is led by Oleksandr Revnivtsev, veterinarian and international expert on biosecurity at hunting grounds. The programme combines theoretical preparation with practical exercises covering measures during and after wild boar hunting. The practical component focused on handling a harvested animal — transporting it, collecting samples and deboning the carcase in compliance with veterinary and sanitary requirements. These exercises were preceded by a theoretical module covering biosecurity principles, the organisation of hunting-ground infrastructure and experience in managing wild boar populations in countries affected by ASF.
The activities are being carried out under the “Strengthening the Resilience of Pig Production in Ukraine” project. Involving hunting-ground users in this work is intended to strengthen ASF prevention beyond pig farms. Timely detection of dead animals, reporting such findings and preventing the pathogen from being carried on footwear, equipment or vehicles are important elements of this protection.
Simulation training sessions have previously been held in the Rivne, Khmelnytskyi, Ivano-Frankivsk and Zakarpattia regions. The sixth and final event in the series will take place in Cherkasy Region on 11 November.
