Finland creates buffer zone and eases swine fever hunting restrictions

The Finnish Food Authority has established a new buffer zone to prevent the spread of African swine fever and eased several hunting restrictions in the existing infection zone, Yle reported. The new zone took effect on Thursday.

The additional restriction zone surrounds the current African swine fever infection zone and is about 5 to 10 kilometres wide. It covers parts of Lappeenranta, Luumäki, Kouvola, Loviisa and Lapinjärvi.

The authority estimates that the new zone is free of African swine fever. The size of the existing infection zone and its core area has not changed.

Restrictions in the new zone mainly concern activities involving wild boar. Hunting wild boar is allowed, but samples for African swine fever testing must be sent to the Finnish Food Authority.

Carcasses and meat from hunted wild boar may not be moved from the zone to areas without restrictions. Domestic pigs must also be protected from contact with wild boar. Appropriate protective clothing and disease prevention measures must be used at facilities where pigs are kept.

Live pigs may not be moved from the new restriction zone outside Finland. There are no restrictions on moving them within Finland.

Hunting restrictions eased

All hunting is now allowed in the marine areas, islands and skerries of the infection zone. Hunting cormorants and seals is also permitted.

Small predators may be hunted with traps in the infection zone, except in the core area. Moose may also be hunted in fields through watch hunting, in which hunters wait at a position near routes used by the animals or near feeding sites.

Conservation hunting of barnacle geese is also allowed in the infection zone.

New rules for dogs

Dogs used to drive, flush out, indicate or stop game may not be allowed to run free in the infection zone. The ban also applies during training.

Other dogs may not be allowed to run free unless they can be leashed immediately. In the core area, dogs may still be exercised only on roads and while leashed.

The restrictions do not apply to dogs running free in fenced dog forests, in the marine areas of the infection zone or on islands and skerries located in those waters. They also do not apply to dogs used in official duties or in official assistance tasks involving large game.

Authorities have confirmed African swine fever in 37 dead wild boar in Finland. One case was found in Pyhtää and the rest in Virolahti.