The Croatian Agricultural Chamber (HPK) has called for an urgent review of hunting grounds and the involvement of the military in efforts to combat African swine fever (ASF) among wild boars. This request was made public on Friday following a thematic meeting of the HPK's Executive Board focused on damages caused by wildlife and the spread of ASF among wild pigs. The HPK emphasized the need for immediate action to protect the interests of producers who suffer losses due to wildlife damage on their farmlands. They also proposed integrating the military into the fight against ASF, citing successful models from countries such as Poland and Spain, where security forces have been legally integrated into biosecurity measures and drone surveillance has been used to monitor animal migrations.
According to the HPK, the ASF virus has advanced more than 150 kilometers from Croatia’s eastern border over the past three years, averaging about 50 kilometers per year. If this rate continues, preventive zones could soon encompass key breeding capacities in central and northern Croatia, including areas around Zagreb, Međimurje, Varaždin, and Krapina-Zagorje counties. The combination of disease spread and the damage caused by wild boars to agricultural crops is leading to a decline in self-sufficiency in pork production, pressure on retail prices, and restructuring of rural production systems. The HPK also requested that local farmers be present during wildlife counts in hunting grounds to ensure transparency and accuracy of data.
In another statement, the HPK urged the systematic elimination of wild boars down to a biological minimum across all of Croatia. The president of the HPK, Željko Mihelić, warned that the damage caused by wild boars has become so severe that it threatens the very survival of agriculture in certain regions. He noted that in some parts of Croatia, growing crops like corn and wheat is no longer economically viable due to the destruction caused by wild boars. Mihelić highlighted that these animals act as a reservoir for ASF and stressed the need for the relevant ministry to implement comprehensive measures, potentially involving the military or police if necessary, given the limitations of hunting associations.
Mihelić criticized existing methods of protecting farmland, such as electric fences and perimeter fencing, calling them completely ineffective. He pointed out that fencing is costly and requires significant effort to install and maintain. He also mentioned that hunting associations are legally obligated to compensate farmers for damages but often lack the funds, resulting in prolonged legal disputes. Mihelić stated that he had not yet communicated with the Croatian Hunting Association and suggested that the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries should take the lead in addressing these issues.
Antun Golubović, head of the Pig Husbandry Committee at the HPK, noted that proposals for complete eradication of wild boars in certain areas near the borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia had been made multiple times in the last two years. These proposals aimed to prevent the migration of wild boars across the Danube River, which brings many of them into Croatia in search of food. However, these recommendations have not been implemented effectively. According to Golubović, while the minister issued an order last year for the culling of wild boars, the number culled increased by about 60 percent compared to the previous year, he believes this is still insufficient.
The Ministry of Agriculture acknowledged the complexity of the issue but confirmed that efforts are ongoing. They reported that the number of wild boars decreased by 20,000 compared to 2024. The ministry emphasized the importance of cooperation with county governments, noting that they must take responsibility for implementing decisions. While the ministry does not shirk its responsibilities towards hunters and farmers, it stressed that local governments must make the necessary decisions. The ministry has collaborated with the police using thermal imaging technology to track the movement of wild boars affected by ASF, aiming to mitigate further spread and impact on agricultural land.
3 reports
Jutarnji listIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 8519 days agoThe Croatian Agricultural Chamber (HPK) has called for an urgent review of hunting grounds' management structures to protect farmers affected by wildlife damage, and also proposed involving the military in efforts to combat African swine fever among wild boars. The request was made following a meeting of the HPK's Executive Board discussing the impact of wildlife damage and the spread of African swine fever. HPK cited examples such as Poland and Spain, where military forces and technology have been used in disease control. According to HPK, the virus has advanced more than 150 kilometers into楚
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information regarding the Croatian Agricultural Chamber's proposals without apparent ideological framing. It includes quotes from HPK and references to international examples but does not exhibit biased language, one-sided sourcing, or omission of context.
Why these scores (Factual 95 · Objective 85): The article accurately reports HPK's demands for an urgent review of hunting grounds and military involvement in controlling ASF. It cites specific examples from Poland and Spain as models, aligns with other sources, and provides data on the spread of ASF. However, it ends abruptly, which slightly r
HRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija)State / PublicCenterFactual 93Objective 8719 days agoThe Croatian Agricultural Chamber (HPK) has called for an urgent review of hunting grounds' economic foundations to protect farmers affected by wildlife damage, and also proposed involving the military in efforts to combat African swine fever among wild boars. These proposals were made following a meeting of HPK's executive board discussing the impact of wildlife damage and the spread of African swine fever. The proposal draws inspiration from countries like Poland and Spain, which have integrated security forces and used drones and thermal monitoring for tracking wildlife movements. HPK noted
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about agricultural concerns related to wildlife damage and disease control without overtly favoring any political side. It includes quotes from HPK and references to international practices but does not exhibit clear bias in framing or sourcing.
Why these scores (Factual 93 · Objective 87): This article also accurately conveys HPK's requests and provides similar details as the first article. The information matches cross-source consensus, though it lacks some specifics found in the first article. The tone remains neutral but slightly less detailed than the first.
HRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija)State / PublicCenterFactual 90Objective 8020 days ago HPK: Shoot wild boar to 'biological minimum' in the whole territory of CroatiaThe Croatian Agricultural Chamber (HPK) has warned of significant damage caused by wild boars to crops across Croatia, urging the government to implement measures such as hunting wild boars down to a 'biological minimum' nationwide. HPK President Željko Mihelić stated that the damage has become so severe that it threatens the sustainability of agriculture in certain areas, making it economically unfeasible for farmers to grow crops like corn and wheat. He also highlighted the risk of African swine fever and called for the involvement of military or police if necessary due to the lack of capaci
Bias read (Center): The article presents the concerns raised by the Croatian Agricultural Chamber regarding the impact of wild boars on agriculture without taking a clear ideological stance. It reports on the calls for action, including hunting and policy changes, but does not exhibit biased language, one-sided sources
Why these scores (Factual 90 · Objective 80): The article accurately reports HPK's call for reducing wild pig populations to a biological minimum and highlights economic impacts. However, it includes more direct quotes from Željko Mihelić, which may introduce slight subjectivity through his personal statements. Still, the core facts match the c
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