NKJ coordinates a project that aims to map and manage the Nordic needs and prerequisites for controlling the wild boar population in the region.
The Nordic countries have different attitudes towards wild boar. Dangers and opportunities are given different weight, and the size of the population differs greatly in the different countries. Mapping the differences to identify the potential for collaboration, and to create a platform for future collaboration, is important.
There are several areas that could benefit from Nordic co-operation:
• Laws, rules and guidelines with regard to hunting, disease surveillance (sampling), exports/imports and rules regarding the sale of wild boar meat and processed charcuterie
• An increased research, monitoring and knowledge exchange between the countries regarding population monitoring, inventory of agricultural/forestry damage, pest control, hunting and infection control measures. Management and monitoring-oriented research is conducted to varying degrees in Sweden, Norway and Finland.
• Coordinated information about which management measures have been empirically successful and which rules/guidelines/recommendations apply in the various Nordic countries. It is currently difficult to get an up-to-date overview of various authorities’ latest decisions, when they come into force, whether it is recommendations or requirements and so on.
The species has an ability to multiply rapidly. A large population causes increased damage, especially in agriculture. The risk of spreading diseases is increasing, above all there is great concern in the pig production industry. Wild boar accidents in traffic are also increasing. Controlling the wild boar population is therefore important. For wild boars, national borders are easy to cross, which is why coordinated efforts are needed throughout the Nordic region.
Report “Vildsvin i de nordiska länderna”
Interview with Petter Kjellander, coordinator
Interview with Anders Rolfsson, Viltansvarig LRF/Sweden