The outbreak of African swine fever in Sweden is an additional topic at Monday’s agriculture minister’s meeting in Brussels, where Kullgren will report on the situation. This includes already now tackling any bureaucratic obstacles in the way.
— We need to have clarity from the EU’s side in situations where we block off areas, that there is no hassle with state aid rules, but that the businesses that are affected can be replaced. It’s not an obvious problem yet, but it’s better to have such a discussion before we end up in a backwater, says Kullgren on his way into the meeting in Brussels.
The minister is counting on both knowledge-based and financial help from the EU, if needed.
— It depends on how long this will last. So far, we have relatively good control over the spread of infection, but it is clear that we must take advantage of both the knowledge available in the rest of the EU, but also the funds that may be available, says Kullgren.
In Belgium in particular, the authorities have succeeded in stopping swine fever, among other things with the help of fencing and hunting and drastic closures of areas for up to two years.
But for as long as Kullgren does not hope that it will have to be closed in Fagersta.
– If it is concentrated in this core, as it – pepper, pepper – still seems to be, then in parts of this area you can review whether, for example, you can allow certain forms of hunting and limited forestry and so on, says Minister in Brussels.