Fighting African swine fever together

The Hessian Ministry of Agriculture, together with the districts of Waldeck-Frankenberg and Marburg-Biedenkopf, organised an information event on the animal disease. African swine fever (ASF) has been spreading in North Rhine-Westphalia since June 2025. Even though there is no positive case in North Hesse, Hesse is still affected by the designation of restricted zones as a result of the outbreak in North Rhine-Westphalia. The Hessian Ministry of Agriculture, together with the districts of Waldeck-Frankenberg and Marburg-Biedenkopf, therefore provided information on the current situation and the necessary protective measures in Battenberg on Tuesday evening. "The fight against ASF can only succeed together. Knowledge and education can do a lot to prevent the spread of the animal disease. That is why it is important for us to be on site at an early stage and answer open questions," emphasised State Secretary Michael Ruhl. He asked for understanding for the necessary measures: "We are aware that fences or additional requirements mean effort in everyday life. But they are urgently needed to avert greater damage."

Around 400 hunters, farmers, private forest owners, local authority representatives and interested members of the public took the opportunity for a personal dialogue. Experts from the Ministry of Agriculture and the participating districts were on hand to answer questions and explain the background.

A permanently installed, wild boar-proof protective fence parallel to parts of the national border is of central importance for prevention. This fence has largely been completed. Previously open passages are currently provisionally closed and secured until the missing cattle grids can be installed. There is an urgent appeal to keep gates and passages consistently closed. "The decision to start building this fence as early as summer 2025 was a precautionary measure to be prepared for a possible epidemic. This early step proved to be the right one," explained Ruhl. The perimeter fence has a total length of around 60 kilometres. It starts at the state border with North Rhine-Westphalia along the BAB 45 motorway and runs as far as Haiger. From Dillenburg, the route runs largely along the B253, with smaller sections along the L553, K115 and L3382, and then continues along the B236 to the state border with North Rhine-Westphalia near Bromskirchen. Thanks to the preventive construction, it was possible to demonstrate to the European Commission that the fixed fence was a suitable boundary. Restricted zone II therefore had to be extended at most as far as the perimeter fence. A more extensive, larger-scale designation could be avoided thanks to the early action.

There are clear rules for hunting, agriculture and forestry in the established restricted zones. Hunters play a decisive role in restricted zone I in particular, where increased hunting is an explicit part of the containment strategy. "In addition to the fixed fence, the consistent reduction of wild boar populations remains a key component of ASF prevention. A sustainable reduction in wild boar density significantly reduces the risk of the virus spreading. With every wild boar shot in exclusion zone I, our hunters make a direct contribution to protecting against the disease. I am grateful for this commitment," said Ruhl.

The districts of Marburg-Biedenkopf and Waldeck-Frankenberg have announced that they will pay out a wild boar premium, half of which will be covered by the Ministry of Agriculture. In addition to culling, carcass testing is an important component in being able to react quickly to the epidemic. In northern Hesse, 12,342 hectares have been searched with drones and 18,034 hectares with dogs to date.

At the same time, State Secretary Ruhl thanked the hunting community, farmers and landowners for their reliable cooperation. The toleration of carcass tests, drone missions and fencing measures is not a matter of course. "We know that a lot is demanded here. All the more reason for us to thank you now for your constructive and responsible support," says Ruhl.

State Secretary Ruhl also expressly emphasised the role of HessenForst: "The close and highly professional cooperation is a key success factor in the fight against ASF." The Frankenberg Forestry Office in particular, with its head Andreas Schmitt and his team, supported the measures quickly, with commitment and great expertise right from the start. The experience gained in southern Hesse contributed significantly to the efficient development of structures and processes in northern Hesse. "Without HessenForst, we would not have come this far in the fight against ASF," said State Secretary Ruhl.

Pig farmers are still called upon to comply with the high biosecurity standards and to report suspected cases immediately. Citizens can help by not disposing of food waste in the countryside and reporting dead wild boars immediately. In exclusion zone II, cycling, horse riding and pedestrian traffic (e.g. mushroom picking, geocaching) is only permitted on paved forest paths or marked cycling, riding and hiking trails. Dog owners are requested to keep their dogs on a lead outside built-up areas in exclusion zone II. The aim is to keep all measures to a minimum and to review them on an ongoing basis.

African swine fever is almost always fatal for domestic and wild pigs. It is not dangerous for humans. An outbreak in a pig farm would have considerable consequences, as Ruhl emphasises: "Ultimately, it's about averting economic damage to the region. To do this, we need prudence and the help of everyone involved."

Keywords:

African swine fever Animal disease control Protection zone I Protection zone II