Government launches new measures to combat African swine fever

The Government will introduce new measures and increase funding to strengthen the combat against African swine fever. In order to encourage the hunting of wild boars, the reward for samples collected from hunted wild boars will be raised to EUR 500 until the end of 2026. Funding for prevention measures will be secured as part of the budgetary process. The Government is also assessing the regional economic impacts of the disease.

Combating African swine fever and reserving sufficient resources to stop its spread have become a Government priority since the disease was detected in Finland on 30 July 2026. Resources will be reviewed as part of the third supplementary budget for 2026 and the preparation for the amendments to the budget proposal for 2027.

Prevention measures will be strengthened by e.g. increasing monitoring, sampling and operational measures of the authorities. If necessary, the core infection zone will be fenced  to restrict the movement of wild boars and to reduce the risk of the disease spreading to new areas.

The Government will raise the reward paid for samples of African swine fever collected from hunted wild boars to EUR 500 until the end of 2026. The increase is expected to encourage hunting of wild boars in areas outside the infection zone and contribute to the eradication of the disease in Finland. In accordance with the Nature Conservation Act, hunting is also allowed in protected areas and national parks to control the spread of diseases to animals. Moreover, the Government is prepared to take any other measures recommended by the Finnish Food Authority to encourage hunting of wild boars.

The Government will also evaluate the impacts of the disease on the regional economy and livelihoods. Funding for further measures will be secured in connection with the amendments to the budget proposal and the first supplementary budget for 2027.

Inquiries:
Tommi Terä, Special Adviser to the Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, tel. +358 29 516 2094, [email protected]