Title: LRF Urges Priority on Public Interest Over Pleasure Hunting in Wildlife Crisis
Subtitle: LRF emphasizes the need for immediate action to reduce the wild boar population and prevent the spread of African swine fever
DEBATE: In an opinion article, Palle Borgström, the union chairman at LRF (Federation of Swedish Farmers), highlights the urgent need for politicians to prioritize the public interest over pleasure hunting in order to address the ongoing wildlife crisis in Sweden. Borgström highlights the recent confirmation of African swine fever in the country, threatening meat production and exacerbating existing challenges in the food supply chain.
The article suggests that today’s politicians cannot be held responsible for the decisions made in the 1980s. However, they can take charge of the current situation by addressing the root cause of the crisis. The writer argues that the uncontrolled population growth of wild boars, estimated to be around 300,000 animals, traces back to the ill-considered decision made by the Riksdag in the early 1980s, which allowed the proliferation of these animals.
The escalating population of wild boars has resulted in significant damage to crops, with approximately 85,400 tons of grain destroyed in 2020 alone. This agricultural loss is equivalent to around 16 loaves of bread per Swede per year. In neighboring countries Norway and Denmark, where the wild boar population is around 1,000, the species is deemed undesirable due to its destructive impact.
Of utmost concern is the risk of spreading African swine fever, a fatal disease affecting domestic pigs, which can be transmitted through direct contact or contaminated objects. The consequences of such a spread would be devastating, leading to the necessity of culling entire herds and significantly impacting the agricultural cycle.
To combat the crisis, the Wildlife Damage Commission presented a report last summer, proposing a 90% reduction in the wild boar population. This would amount to limiting the population to approximately 30,000 animals, equivalent to the population at the beginning of the 21st century.
The LRF proposes seven concrete measures to achieve this population reduction and prevent the further spread of infection. These include financial compensation for affected individuals, updating outdated hunting legislation, allowing the use of trapping devices approved in other countries, introducing premiums for increased shooting of wild boars, and implementing clear punishment definitions for feeding practices that contribute to population growth. Additionally, the responsibility for financing the transport and destruction of non-consumable wild boars should lie with the state.
These proposed measures aim to secure Sweden’s food production, protect forests and lands, and confront the African swine fever crisis effectively. The LRF calls on the government and Riksdag to take immediate action and avoid further wrong decisions that exacerbate the wildlife crisis.
Time is of the essence, emphasizing the need for swift action from policymakers. By prioritizing the public interest over pleasure hunting, Sweden can effectively reduce the wild boar population and prevent the further spread of African swine fever, ensuring the viability of the agricultural sector and safeguarding food security.
Palle Borgström, the union chairman at LRF, concludes the article by emphasizing the importance of engaging in the debate and urging readers to comment on the issue on Aftonbladet Debatt’s Facebook page.