Finland establishes buffer zone for African swine fever

The Finnish Food Authority has established a 10-kilometer wide buffer zone around the current African swine fever (ASF) infection zone in Southeast Finland. This measure is required by EU legislation and covers areas including Lappeenranta, Luumäki, Kouvola, Lapinjärvi, and Loviisa.

While the buffer zone introduces new regulations, officials state the practical impact on daily activities is limited. Wild boar hunting is permitted and even encouraged in the area, though samples from hunted animals must be submitted to the Finnish Food Authority. Carcasses or parts of hunted wild boars cannot be moved to unrestricted areas. Meat from hunted boars may be used for private household consumption only after ASF testing confirms the absence of infection.

Regarding domestic livestock, pigs located within the buffer zone cannot be moved abroad, though internal transfers within Finland remain unrestricted. Owners must also ensure pigs are kept separate from wild boar populations. Although no new ASF cases have been detected for over a week, officials noted it is too early to determine if the situation is stabilizing. The first case in Finland was identified in a dead wild boar in Virolahda on July 30, with subsequent cases found in Pyhtää.