Croatian Minister Vlajčić warns illegal pork imports threaten swine farms

David Vlajčić illegal pork imports African swine fever Dalmatia biosecurity

Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Minister David Vlajčić said illegal imports and smuggling of pork meat are taking place in Dalmatia, including from Serbia, and that these actions undermine domestic pork production and create unfair competition. He warned that such activities breach Croatian and EU regulations and raise the risk of introducing contagious animal diseases, especially African swine fever. Vlajčić urged authorities to condemn the trade, called on producers to follow all bio‑security measures, and noted that citizens have begun reporting incidents.

In response, the ministry has stepped up controls: intensified culling of wild boars, expanded veterinary inspections in the most vulnerable counties, and reinforced border monitoring, with several illegal cases already identified. He also highlighted the emergence of sheep and goat pox in neighbouring states as a further threat. The epidemiological situation for African swine fever in the Požega‑Slavonia region remains satisfactory, with no new cases recorded since 14 July, but the situation is still considered sensitive.

Entities

African swine fever · Croatia · Dalmatia · David Vlajčić · Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Border controls have been strengthened, and several illegal cases have already been detected. www.dnevno.hr · n1info.hr · www.index.hr
[● 3 SOURCES] Illegal imports and smuggling of pork meat are occurring in Dalmatia. www.dnevno.hr · n1info.hr · www.index.hr
[● 3 SOURCES] The Ministry receives reports from citizens about illegal pork imports. www.dnevno.hr · n1info.hr · www.index.hr
[● 3 SOURCES] No new cases of African swine fever in small ruminants have been recorded since 14 July. www.dnevno.hr · n1info.hr · www.index.hr
[● 3 SOURCES] The Ministry is conducting intensified hunting of wild boars and increased veterinary inspections in the most affected counties. www.dnevno.hr · n1info.hr · www.index.hr
[● 3 SOURCES] The smuggling violates Croatian and EU regulations. www.dnevno.hr · n1info.hr · www.index.hr
[● 3 SOURCES] The illegal imports threaten Croatian pork production by creating unfair competition. www.dnevno.hr · n1info.hr · www.index.hr
[● 3 SOURCES] The illegal activity increases the risk of introducing African swine fever to Croatia. www.dnevno.hr · n1info.hr · www.index.hr