African swine fever halts Lappeenranta farm slaughterhouse

Operations at a farm slaughterhouse in Lappeenranta have stopped after African swine fever was found in wild boars in Virolahti, in the Kymenlaakso region, Yle reports. The restrictions could cost entrepreneur Timo Ikonen tens of thousands of euros if they remain in place for several months.

The Finnish Food Authority found the disease on 30 July. African swine fever is fatal to pigs, and there is no vaccine or treatment for it.

Ikonen had believed that the slaughterhouse, about 60 kilometres from where the dead wild boars were found, would be allowed to continue operating. Instead, the restriction boundary now runs about 500 metres from his farm, leaving the slaughterhouse in Rikkilä village inside the restricted zone.

“All slaughterhouse operations have stopped. Nothing can be done. We can sell sausages and processed products, but fresh products are now banned,” Ikonen said.

There are seven pig farms in the restriction zone according to the Finnish Food Authority’s animal register, although the register does not indicate whether they are active. Ikonen was told by a state veterinarian on Friday to stop slaughtering. Instructions have since changed several times a day, with permission to slaughter granted at one point and withdrawn later. Permission was granted on Friday but was no longer available on Monday.

Ikonen’s farm has capacity for 300 pigs and currently houses 270. The pigs cannot be moved, and biosecurity measures have been tightened. Shoes must be changed and feet disinfected when entering the pig housing, while birds and other animals are kept out. Grain may currently be harvested in the area, but it cannot be fed to the pigs.

If the pigs or their carcasses cannot be sold, the carcasses will be sent for incineration. Ikonen estimates that losing the opportunity to use all the pigs could cause tens of thousands of euros in damage.

The Finnish Food Authority says financial losses may be compensated when restrictions imposed to combat African swine fever prevent or hinder animal production. Compensation can cover up to three quarters of the loss.

Ikonen has some cooked products, including sausages, in Lappeenranta, but no large stocks of fresh products. The farm shop is still open, although he expects to have to close it soon.