Hunters mobilise to search for wild boar carcasses near Finland’s eastern border

Up to 100 volunteers will soon begin searching for dead wild boar in southeastern Finland near the eastern border, Yle reports. The aim is to find every carcass and determine whether the animals are infected with African swine fever.

The hunters are receiving rapid training from experts at the Finnish Food Authority in Miehikkälä on Tuesday. About 100 hunters are expected to attend the training.

African swine fever is extremely dangerous to pigs but does not infect people. The first case discovered last Thursday led to extensive restrictions in southeastern Finland, including bans on forestry work, berry picking, hunting and allowing dogs to roam freely in forests.

The Finnish Food Authority has facilities at the Vaalimaa border crossing where samples can be taken from the animals.

Kristian Värri, chairman of the Virolahti game management association, said the training was necessary. It covers hygiene requirements and how to handle animals that are found.

Värri said the training had been organised at short notice and that the venue had changed at the last minute. Some people who wanted to take part have been unable to arrange time off.

Containers may be brought to the area to store wild boar carcasses temporarily. The carcasses will then be disposed of according to instructions from the Finnish Food Authority.

Local disease control centre planned

The Finnish Food Authority is establishing a local disease control centre at the Vaalimaa border inspection station. All activities related to searching for carcasses and taking samples in the restricted zones will be coordinated there.

One or more veterinarians will be permanently assigned to the centre. Matti Nyberg, head of the regional unit responsible for veterinary services at the Finnish Food Authority, said the facilities are adequate and include cold storage.

The authority previously used the premises at Vaalimaa for a border veterinarian who inspected animal products and live animals arriving from outside the European Union. The facilities have been underused since the border between Finland and Russia was closed.

Värri said the local game management association had received several questions about what was happening and why more information was not being provided. General information is available online, but local residents are seeking detailed guidance for their own circumstances.

Farmers and forest owners have also contacted the association. Some may have fields both inside and outside the restricted zones, making it difficult to use the same machinery if it has to be disinfected between fields.

Värri said many people had responded positively and wanted to help tackle the threat, which affects the interests of landowners, forestry workers and hunters.