Moldovan government approves more measures to combat, prevent spread of African swine fever

Chisinau, 24 September /MOLDPRES/ – The Government intervenes with concrete measures to combat and not admit the spread of African swine fever through the implementation of a comprehensive Plan aimed at ensuring the economic security of Moldova. In this respect, the Cabinet of Ministers approved today amendments to a series of normative acts, the government's communication and protocol department has reported.

Thus, it will be extended the season for 2018 – 2019 for wild boars, foxes and jackals, which will be extended from 26 February to 31 July 2019 so as to cover the whole period possible until the following season hunting.

There will also be increased quotas of wild boar hunting, including within state-protected natural areas, for the steady diminishing of the number of boars and predators in order to protect domestic animals and agricultural crops, as well as to prevent damage that may be caused producers in related fields.

Also today, amendments to the framework regulation of wetlands of international importance – Ramsar areas have been approved. These changes will allow the hunting of wild boar, jackals and foxes in case of outbreak of infectious diseases.

The Government also approved the Regulation on the state border crossing of goods under the control of the National Agency for Food Safety (ANSA). The project transposes the provisions of the EU Directive on the lists of animals and products to be subjected to controls at border inspection posts.

The plan of measures to combat and prevent the spread of African swine fever on the territory of Moldova was approved by the Commission for Emergency Situations at the initiative of Prime Minister, Pavel Filip. So far, there have been recorded 15 active outbreaks of African swine fever in Moldova and the neighbouring countries affected by this virus have found that wild boar is the most important source of disease transmission.