African swine fever: 140,000 pigs to be slaughtered at the largest breeding farm in Romania, huge damages in Braila County, unemployment to rise

About 140,000 pigs will be slaughtered, as of Monday, at a farm in Braila County, the largest pig breeding and raising farm in Romania, the second largest in Europe.

The results of the test on the samples taken last week have been confirmed on Saturday by the Bucharest Reference Lab, the African swine fever has contaminated the farm, stiri.tvr.ro informs.

At first, the swine fever was confirmed by rapid on-site tests and confirmation or invalidation was expected from the lab in Bucharest.

Consequently, all the pigs will be slaughtered. The Agriculture Minister, Petre Daea, has announced he has called for support from European Union experts to prevent the spread of the African swine fever.

Up to date, more than 150,000 pigs have already been slaughtered in 156 localities, in 10 counties throughout the country. The number will double after the slaughtering of pigs from Gropeni farm (141,000 pigs) and Tichilesti (35,000).

Besides the animal health issue, the swine fever brings huge damages to the Braila County. Although the exact level of damages is hard to assess now, the specialists consider they reach tens of thousands of euros, plus the closing down of numerous businesses. The damages are to be assessed by Braila Prefecture, supported by a newly set up special committee.

The slaughtering process will most likely last about a month.

The traders who had contracts with the farms will also be affected. They had to close down the shops and to lay off the employees.

Besides the thousands of animals slaughtered, for which the owners will be compensated, one more damage will hit the breeders: the fodder will also be destroyed. Moreover, the owners will bear the costs of disinfection for the buildings, access roads and equipment. The unlikely resuming of activity can take place after at least several months, following disinfection and thorough checks.

Following the closing down of the farms, hundreds of people will lose their jobs. The authorities say 150 people were employed at Tichilesti farm and more than 250 people at Gropeni farm. They will all be laid off, with tough consequences in the rural areas.