Entrepreneurs demand special support over swine fever

Suomen Yrittäjät, an entrepreneurs’ organisation, is calling on the Finnish government to prepare special support measures because of swine fever, Yle reports. The organisation says businesses should not be made to pay for the crisis.

In a statement, it said the disease situation could cause problems not only for agriculture and forestry but also for businesses in tourism, construction and maintenance services.

“The support models from the coronavirus era are worth learning from,” chief executive Mikael Pentikäinen said.

Pentikäinen said animal disease legislation provides a framework for supporting animal owners and pig production, but does not take into account other businesses that could be harmed by the disease or restrictions imposed to control it.

The organisation considers the current compensation mechanisms inadequate.