The often lethal, rapidly spreading virus is transmitted largely through direct contact with infected swine, as well as through indirect contact with pigs, equipment and feed. The disease causes widespread suffering and important economic losses. Originating in Lithuania it has already spread to nine countries in between 2014 and 2021 alone.

As a result, thousands of wild boar are hunted every year in Europe in an attempt to contain their number and halt virus spreading. Yet, in addition to the pain and suffering caused to the animals, science shows that hunting boars to reduce the spread of ASF is not effective. The virus occurs in both high- and low- density populations, therefore reducing the population density is unlikely to be effective, expounded by the fact that hunting could not realistically reduce the population by the 67% necessary to stabilise wild boar populations and they have been shown to bounce back anyway. More hunting equates to much more suffering and represents a biosecurity threat. DG SANTE reports that despite widespread awareness campaigns directed at hunters, biosecurity measures are not always respected during hunting. As a result, direct contact with blood and indirect contact with contaminated equipment, tools and clothing occur and need to be taken seriously. We mustn’t forget the additional spreading power of current intensive farming practices.

What are the alternatives?

• Human-mediated virus spread must be primarily addressed through awareness campaigns and other methods prioritising animal welfare. Behaviour change and compliance with biosecurity measures are among the most important factors.

• The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) highlights that compliance with on-farm biosecurity measures and refraining from hunting activities, which can lead to spread, are key to reducing the risk of spread of ASF.

• Promising population control measures include the use of immunological contraception (GnRH GONACON), which has demonstrated promising results to reduce the fertility of feral swine kept under experimental conditions with one single injection.

• Preliminary research is promising for an effective vaccine in the future.

Given that hunting is not an effective solution, but has potential to increase risk and certainly causes suffering of animals; we call on the EU to invest in research to obtain effective methods for fertility control of wild boar, and to find a safe and effective vaccine against the virus.

For more details and recommendations, read our African Swine Fever Position Paper.