Italy sends in the troops to hunt wild boar in face of African swine fever threat
The Italian Government has announed it is sending in troops across the country to hunt wild boar in order to protect its pig industry from African swine fever (ASF).
The mission, reportedly spearheaded by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is aiming to curb Italy’s wild boar population by as much as 80% over the next five years, according to the Daily Express.
The military deployment, comprising 177 soldiers, was approved by the cabinet as part of a comprehensive strategy to safeguard Italian agriculture and culinary heritage, it is reported. This initiative also includes measures to address other agricultural threats, such as the invasion of non-native blue crabs jeopardising the clam industry.
There are an estimated 1 million to 1.5 million wild boars roaming Italy and there is concern that, as carriers of the ASF virus, they pose a significant threat to Italy’s renowned £7 billion prosciutto and sausage industry, centred in cities like Parma.
Italy has recorded a number of outbreaks of ASF, in both wild boar and domestic pigs, in different parts of the country in recent years, which has had a significant impact on a sector employing 50,000 people.
Read full article Share on twitter