Croatia adjusts African swine fever zones and approves livestock aid

The Croatian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has issued a new decision regarding African swine fever (ASF) zones. Protection and surveillance zones in Osijek-Baranja and Virovitica-Podravina counties are being lifted following successful disinfection and veterinary inspections. However, surveillance remains in effect for Topolje and Duboševica in the Draž municipality due to ASF outbreaks in neighboring Hungary. Certain areas in Virovitica-Podravina also remain under surveillance.

To mitigate the impact of the disease, the Croatian Government has adopted a state aid program to compensate for damages caused by ASF through 2027. The program allocates 10 million euros (5 million euros annually for 2026-2028) to support the pig farming and livestock sectors. This unified program includes four specific measures: compensation for losses, support for lost income due to inability to raise pigs, support for restoring production potential, and support for maintaining piglet production. The aid targets farms where pigs were culled, farms unable to generate income due to restrictions, and those undergoing repopulation.