Germany fights animal disease with harvest ban

In Germany, the government has introduced a bill for increased powers in the event of an outbreak of African swine fever. One of the adjustments is that the German Minister of Agriculture can impose a harvest ban.

Although African swine fever has not yet been detected in Germany, the threat from Eastern Europe is great. The government wants to prevent the disease from breaking out in Germany at all costs and then spreading quickly.

That is why agriculture minister Julia Klöckner wants to be able to impose a harvest ban if the virus is detected. This should prevent the animals from being driven out of the crops and thus remain in place. The minister also wants agricultural traffic to be restricted on a local scale. All this should reduce the chance of spreading. 

Extra risk of contamination 
The government also calls on the population not to throw away food. During the summer months, the risk of contamination is extra great because of the many holiday traffic movements. The virus can spread in no time via cars. It is also possible that wild boars may be hunted by people without a hunting license. The bill still needs to be approved by parliament and the Bundesrat. This is expected to happen after the summer recess.

Lower Saxony is also taking measures 
The state of Lower Saxony is also preparing for an outbreak. The state government wants to change the hunting law to make it easier to hunt wild boars. This will probably make it possible for hunters to shoot wild boars from their cars. That has been prohibited until now. Hunters are also allowed to use night vision equipment.

The state of Lower Saxony also wants to withdraw the hunting ban on dams. All these measures are intended to contain the wild boar population.

Wouter Job

Wouter Baan is editor-in-chief of Boerenbusiness. He also focuses on dairy, pig and meat markets. He also follows (business) developments within agribusiness and interviews CEOs and policymakers.

w.baan@boerenbusiness. Nl

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