The head of the Agriculture and Food Board in Estonia, Raimo Heinami, asserts that the most effective way to halt the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) is by maintaining a low population of wild boars. This aligns with the broader public health approach aimed at mitigating the risks associated with the disease, which poses a significant threat to domestic pig farming. Heinami emphasizes that regulating wild boar populations should be a priority to prevent ASF outbreaks from becoming more severe and widespread.

During a recent visit from an expert group from the European Commission at the height of the outbreak, concerns were raised regarding Estonia's hunting strategy to control the wild boar population. The experts found that the country's current hunting practices have failed to meet their intended goals. This highlights the critical need for a reassessment of hunting laws and policies in order to ensure a robust response to the ASF threat.

As such, the conversation around updating legislation to improve wildlife management and disease control is gaining traction. Experts argue that an overhaul of existing laws could lead to more effective measures that not only protect agricultural interests but also safeguard public health by controlling the vectors of African Swine Fever. This implication suggests an urgent call for policymakers to act swiftly in aligning regulations with the current realities of wildlife management and disease prevention.