Federal Minister of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry Kemal Hrnjić confirmed that the infection of “African swine fever” was detected in the territory of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Hrnjić pointed out that even earlier this infection entered the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, through farms in the Republika Srpska, and since last week it is also present in the territory of FBiH.
“Unfortunately, since last week we had suspicions on several farms in the Posavina Canton that it had entered the FBiH. And, today, with regret, I can state that the suspicions were justified. We have analyzed as many as five farms, and on three farms we have the phenomenon” African swine fever’.
It is a viral disease and it will be very difficult to stop the progression of that virus. The biggest responsibility lies with the farm owners, who must take all the preventive measures that were directed by the Federal Ministry 15-20 days ago.
They must consistently implement them, they must do everything possible to slow down the spread of the virus to other farms as much as possible. It will be very difficult, I expect it to be a new challenge in the FBiH, which awaits us in the Posavina Canton. But, I think our biggest producer of pigs is the West Herzegovina Canton, so it will be very difficult for the virus to progress,” said Hrnjić.
The situation, he notes, has already escalated in neighboring Croatia, so there is a fight ahead in the territory of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“We expect moves from the state level. First of all, from the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Veterinary Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I also expect their concrete steps, so we will see how we proceed,” announced Hrnjić.
When asked if there will be a ban on organizing cattle markets, Hrnjić pointed out that, in his opinion, it should have been done and banned already today.
He added, he expects the profession’s position, but the federal ministry’s position is clear – “to prohibit the movement of those animals, to prohibit entry to those farms and to prohibit any interference between such farms.”
Everything should be done, he adds, to prevent the transmission of the virus, which is not dangerous for humans, but is very fatal for animals and can cause great damage to pig production.
