Authorities in Bosnia's Federation entity (FBiH) confirmed that the infection with the African swine fever was detected on the entity's territory, after it previously spread in Republika Srpska entity.

Kemal Hrnjic, Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Minister in FBiH entity, said in a meeting with authorities of the central Zenica-Doboj Canton the virus was detected in the FBiH last week.

“Unfortunately, since last week – we had doubts on several farms in the Posavina Canton that it (the virus) entered the FBiH entity. And here, with regret, I can say today that the doubts were justified. We analysed as many as five farms and on three farms we have the presence of African swine fever,” he said.

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It was emphasised that the biggest responsibility lies with the farm owners, who must take all the preventive measures issued by the competent ministry 15-20 days ago.

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“They must consistently implement them, they must do everything possible to slow down the progression of the virus to other farms as much as possible. It will be very difficult, I expect it to be a new challenge in the FBiH, which awaits us in the Posavina Canton. But, I think our biggest producer of pigs is the West Herzegovina Canton, so it will be very difficult for the virus to progress,” said Hrnjic.

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The situation, he noted, has already escalated in the neighboring Croatia, so there is a fight ahead in the territory of FBiH as well.

Minister also expects the state-level authorities to take steps and act on this matter.