Finnish Food Authority establishes an additional restricted zone for African swine fever and amends restrictions in the infected zone

The Finnish Food Authority established an additional restricted zone (buffer zone) for African swine fever (ASF) on 10 September 2026. The provisions applying to the additional restricted zone concern, in particular, wild boar populations. On the same date, the Finnish Food Authority also amended the restrictions in the infected zone concerning hunting and the keeping of dogs off leash.

Additional restricted zone serves as a buffer

The additional restricted zone has been established around the infected zone as an extra protection zone. The area is considered free from African swine fever and serves as a buffer between the infected zone and the rest of Finland.

The additional restricted zone is located in the municipalities of Lappeenranta, Luumäki, Kouvola, Loviisa and Lapinjärvi. The exact boundaries of the zone are specified in the Finnish Food Authority’s decision of 10 September 2026 and in the accompanying map (attached).

Restrictions on the use of wild boar products in the additional restricted zone

Hunting of wild boar is permitted and encouraged within the additional restricted zone. Hunters must ensure that ASF samples from every hunted wild boar are submitted to the Finnish Food Authority’s laboratory for testing.
The movement of wild boar carcasses, fresh meat obtained from wild boar, meat products and any other products derived from wild boar within or outside the additional restricted zone is prohibited. However, following a negative ASF test result, the meat may be used for the hunter’s private household consumption.

Wild boar hunted within the additional restricted zone that are not used for the hunter’s private household consumption must be disposed of in accordance with the Finnish Food Authority’s instructions.

Live pigs may not be moved abroad from the additional restricted zone

The movement of live pigs from the additional restricted zone to destinations outside Finland is prohibited. There are no restrictions on movements within Finland.

Establishments keeping pigs within the additional restricted zone must ensure that both direct and indirect contact between domestic pigs and wild boar is effectively prevented. In addition, requirements apply to protective clothing and footwear, as well as handwashing and disinfection procedures for persons entering such establishments.

Changes to hunting and dog control measures in the infected zone

Except within the core area, the following hunting activities are now permitted in the infected zone:

Trapping of small predators using traps and snares
Hunting of great cormorants and seals
Protective hunting of barnacle geese
Ambush hunting of moose in fields
All hunting activities in the marine areas of the infected zone and on islands and skerries located in those marine areas

The following restrictions apply to dogs in the infected zone:

Dogs used for driving or flushing game, indicating game by barking, or holding game may not be kept off leash. This prohibition also applies during training activities.
Other dogs may not be kept off leash unless they remain under such close control that they can be leashed immediately.
In the core area, dogs may only be exercised while leashed and on roads. Walking dogs in terrain outside roads remains prohibited.
These restrictions do not apply to dogs kept off leash in enclosed dog exercise areas (dog forest with fence), nor in the marine areas of the infected zone or on islands and skerries located in those marine areas.
The restrictions do not apply to dogs used by authorities or in official large-game assistance operations.

Further information