African swine flu (ASF) is threatening wine-growing areas in eastern Germany. Especially vineyards in Saxony and Brandenburg are affected because infected wild pigs roam the vineyards. This is reported by "Der Deutsche Weinbau". If a diseased animal is found there, the authorities declare the property a restricted area. This means that the owners are no longer allowed to enter or drive through the area. For the winegrowers, this means massive restrictions in pruning, plant protection or during the harvest season, up to and including harvest failure.
Due to an emergency decree of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, the federal states may allow the complete shooting of wild boars in the affected regions. If yield losses occur due to an official harvest ban, the farms usually receive compensation from the state epidemic funds.
(uka / Photo: Wikipedia - Tetzemann)