The project’s goal is to improve the conditions for hunters to effectively regulate the wild boar population. The aim is for the hunters participating in the project to have sufficient knowledge for efficient and safe hunting and safe handling of wild boar. The Finnish Hunters' Association is cooperating with the Finnish Food Authority in the project.
According to the Finnish Hunters' Association, the wild boar population must be kept small by active hunting. The wild boar population currently poses a major risk to agriculture due to the threat of the spread of ASF, or African swine fever.
Average size of the population
January 2021: Approx. 3,400 wild boar
Number of catches
|
1.8.2020–31.7.2021 |
1,343 |
|
1.8.2019–31.7.2020 |
1,211 |
Training for Hunters
Wild boar is a relative newcomer to Finland, and that is why training for hunters is necessary as experience of hunting wild boar is currently low in most parts of Finland. Currently, a wild boar hunting culture only exists around the south-eastern border area. The wild boar belongs to the big game category, and its hunting requires passing a shooting test and there are certain requirements for the weapon that the hunter can use.
African swine fever threatens not only the wild boar population but also the entire pig farming industry. A single case of the disease detected in Finland would endanger the entire export of Finnish pork. African swine fever is an animal disease that is legally under special control and prevention measures in the EU and Finland. ASF control and prevention measures are based on risk assessments made by the Finnish Food Safety Authority. As African swine fever is also spread through pork products, the disease has a major impact on trade in pork. If ASF infection is detected in the terrain, a restriction zone will be established, which will also affect hunting of other species.
Another goal of the project is to prepare for the prevention of the spread of ASF if the disease enters Finland despite precautions.
