ASP: District issues general decrees for protection zones
The highly contagious African swine fever has been spreading in North Rhine-Westphalia towards Hesse since June 2025. ASF has already been detected in the immediate vicinity of the Hessian state border - and therefore also the district border. In order to protect the animals in Waldeck-Frankenberg, the district has therefore issued two general orders in coordination with the state of Hesse to establish two restricted zones, which come into force immediately.
Two restricted zones I and II established
The general orders regulate two restricted zones - a restricted zone II directly around the area of the last positive findings and a further restricted zone I, which surrounds restricted zone II as a buffer. In Waldeck-Frankenberg, restricted zone II includes parts of the town of Hatzfeld, the town of Battenberg and the municipality of Allendorf. In Waldeck-Frankenberg, restricted zone I also includes parts of the town of Frankenberg. The exact area boundaries can be found in the two general decrees, including maps, which can be viewed here.
Overview map of restricted zones I and II
An interactive map provides an overview of restricted zones I and II.
Both restricted zones serve to contain African swine fever. For this reason, owners and users must authorise access to their land throughout the area - for example for carcass testing or recovery or by veterinary officers. The same applies to the use of drones and fences. Any wild boar found or shot must be reported immediately to the veterinary authorities and shot animals must be identified, sampled and stored securely until the laboratory results have been clarified and disposed of by authorised bodies. Within both zones, there is also a general ban on the movement and transport of live wild boar, fresh wild boar meat and animal by-products. In addition, strict biosecurity measures such as cleaning and disinfection, safe storage of feed and bedding and stricter reporting requirements for pig farmers are prescribed.
Stricter regulations in Zone II
Stricter regulations apply once again in Restricted Zone II: There is also a general ban on hunting with only very limited exceptions. It also contains extensive and specific requirements for agriculture and forestry - such as drone flights before harvesting, special maize and hay regulations and extensive forestry bans. Salvage, sampling and disposal are also carried out exclusively by authorised teams. Violations of the regulations are penalised with heavy fines.
Recognising chains of infection, protecting animals
You can read all the details about the requirements that come into force as a result of the general rulings here - as well as the wording of the two general rulings. There is also a link to an interactive map in which the zones are precisely labelled. "With the general orders, we are implementing the necessary requirements to prevent the introduction or further spread of African swine fever in the district," explains Karl-Friedrich Frese, First District Councillor of the district. The aim of the measures is to recognise chains of infection at an early stage and to provide the best possible protection for pig farms.
Protective fence erected, culverts provisionally closed for the time being
The erected wild boar-proof protective fence along the federal roads 236 and 253 and the state road 3382 from Bromskirchen towards Battenberg and on to Sackpfeife should also contribute to this. Although this has been completed, some gates and cattle grids are still missing at some passages and paths. These are now being provisionally closed for the time being - with wooden grids, among other things. We would like to emphasise once again that these temporary closures are only temporary and will gradually be replaced by more convenient gates and cattle grids, which cannot yet be installed due to supply difficulties. However, due to the spread of the animal epidemic, urgency is required, which is why the temporary solutions are being used for the time being. The district once again points out that all gates, fences and culverts on the fence must now be kept closed and asks residents for their co-operation and understanding for any restrictions.
Information event on ASF on 3 March
The Hessian Ministry of Agriculture and the districts of Waldeck-Frankenberg and Marburg-Biedenkopf invite you to an information event on 3 March at 5.30 p.m. in the Burgberghalle in Battenberg in order to provide comprehensive information on the topic in person. State Secretary Michael Ruhl as head of the ASF management team, representatives of the districts of Waldeck-Frankenberg and Marburg-Biedenkopf and employees from the ASF management team will provide information on the current situation and the measures in the restricted zones. The event will also provide ample opportunity for questions and dialogue with the audience. Registration is not required. All interested parties are cordially invited.
Background
African swine fever is almost always fatal for domestic and wild pigs. The virus is harmless to humans. Nevertheless, an outbreak can cause considerable economic damage - especially for farms and the regional meat industry. The district of Waldeck-Frankenberg is working closely with the Hessian Ministry of Agriculture, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the federal government and the European Union to prevent the spread of the animal disease.