Hungary expands wild boar culling to curb African swine fever

Hungarian authorities have ordered extensive culling of wild boar to halt the spread of African swine fever, which has infected domestic pig farms in the Szabolcs‑Szatmár‑Bereg region. The measures include a mandatory removal of all wild boar within a ten‑kilometre radius of the outbreak area, with the possibility of mobilising the armed forces if civilian hunters cannot achieve the required pace.

Similar emergency population‑reduction operations have been launched along the M1–M3 motorways in Pest, Komárom‑Esztergom and Fejér counties. The campaign is overseen by the national chief veterinarian, who has set strict density targets and penalties for non‑compliance. Officials warn that the disease threatens export markets such as South Korea, Vietnam and Serbia, and could force producers to redirect thousands of tonnes of pork to the domestic market, affecting the sector’s revenues.

The response aims to contain the virus within two months, protect the pork industry, and mitigate potential trade restrictions.