Pork producers rally in face of losses

The Polish pork producers' association is drafting a letter to the Prime Minister which will ask for swift and coordinated action on the national level regarding the African swine fever virus. The virus has been identified in wild boars in the northeast of the country, but has been especially hurtful since to pig farmers due to import blockades initiated by other countries. The farmers are asking for immediate isolation of affected regions and payment of compensation for farmers whose animals are quarantined. Seven million złotys have already been paid out from an EU compensation budget. It is estimated that the branch may lose up to PLN 20 billion in the long run if the virus is not stopped. Some estimates claim that farmers are losing PLN 3 million daily due to virus occurances and closure of export markets, according to IAR.