Swine fever: Today the pigs Svea and Sivert are euthanized to stop the infection

Veronica received the euthanasia decision on Monday. At lunchtime on Tuesday, word came from the Swedish Agricultural Agency that it will be during the day.

Veronica Thorsén is a meat producer and has around 200 cattle, but only two pigs. She has kept the pigs for emotional reasons. Now the pigs are to be slaughtered and destroyed.

– It is sad that a decision like this is forced. But at the same time it is not unexpected. It was understood that something had to be done and even if it is difficult, I want to do my part.

Consequences for agriculture

Veronica Thorsén’s farm is in the infected area, but she also leases land on the other side of the cordoned off zone. In addition to having to slaughter her pigs, swine fever is now having major consequences for agriculture.

– When a machine is to be driven over the border, it must be washed and disinfected. We need to drive home bales and a thresher, and we have all that in Söderbärke, which is on the other side of the border. There will be a lot of extra work, she says.

sv-general-01