The hunting for wild boars, foxes and jackals in the 2018-2019 season will be extended from February 26 until July 31, 2019 so that the whole possible period until the next hunting season is covered, IPN reports, quoting the changes made by the Government to a number of normative documents.

The hunting quotas on wild boars will be increased, including in natural areas protected by the state, so as to stably diminish the number of wild boars, to protect the domestic animals and crops and to prevent the spread of African swine fever and the damage this can cause to producers from related areas.

In the same meeting, there were approved changes to the framework regulations concerning the wetlands of international importance – Ramsar Sites. These changes allow hunting for wild boars, jackals and foxes in case of outbreaks of infectious diseases.

The Government also approved the regulations concerning the method of crossing the state border with goods that are subject to controls by the National Food Safety Agency. These transpose the provisions of the EU Directive concerning lists of animals and products that are to subject to controls at border inspection posts.

The plan of action for fighting and preventing the spread of African swine fever on Moldova’s territory was approved by the Commission for Emergencies on the initiative of Prime Minister Pavel Filip. Fifteen active hotbeds of African swine fever have been reported in Moldova so far. The neighboring countries affected by this virus established that the wild boars are the main source of infection.