African swine fever continues to spread in the Republic of Moldova, with 15 outbreaks confirmed in households since the beginning of this year. Although commercial farms have not yet been affected, the risk of the virus reaching the professional sector is big. The authorities warn that taking strict biosecurity measures is the only solution to prevent significant economic losses.
Contacted by IPN for details, representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry said that pig owners can receive compensation if their animals are affected by the disease.
According to a Government decision of 2010, people who own ear-tagged pigs, i.e. have a metal mark applied to their ear as a sign of recognition, and these were officially registered will be financially compensated for their losses. Compensation is determined according to the market price of the animal at the time of slaughter, taking into account the age, weight and genetic value. The same provisions apply to commercial farms.
Furthermore, the authorities encourage the population to report cases of death in wild boars, offering a reward of €50 for each identified corpse about which the competent authorities are notified. This approach aims to monitor the spread of the virus and prevent contamination of domestic pigs.
To limit the spread of the disease, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry announced stricter inspections in agri-food markets and banned the unauthorized transportation of pigs.
Farmers are also advised not to feed animals on food scraps and to store grains for at least 60 days before giving them to swine.
The authorities call on all breeders to strictly obey the sanitary-veterinary rules and to immediately notify veterinarians in case of signs of illness. According to them, any delay or neglecting of biosecurity measures can have serious consequences for the livestock sector and the national economy.
