Silver Kaur stated that Estonian agriculture and food production are in a major crisis. Fields are flooded, and African swine fever is causing damage.
Kaur mentioned that one large farm was hit by the disease. The animals there are in quarantine. Hopefully, the disease will not spread further. Kaur said: 'We were like sitting on a powder keg.'
Maag Food OÜ includes Rakvere Meat Industry, Tallegg, and other large companies. However, Kaur said that size does not help against the crisis. 'We can endure more, but there isn't much time. Crises come one after another - COVID, energy, inflation, war, and now swine fever,' he said.
The company has to make tough decisions. For example, at Ekseko farm, animals were culled, and 44 employees were let go. This puts the company in a difficult situation. Kaur said: 'It's sad, but we must survive.'
At Ekseko farm, older pigs, which give birth to piglets, were infected. If the company wants to start raising pigs again, it will take time. The buildings must be cleaned and left empty.
Kaur said that in Estonia, it is no longer possible to insure animals and birds. After the 2023 crisis, insurance companies no longer do this.
Kaur believes that the state should help entrepreneurs work successfully. He said that the state has not been able to cope with African swine fever in ten years. 'We talked for two years that something should be done. Now the situation is bad,' said Kaur.
At Ekseko farm, everything is done to prevent the spread of the disease. There is a high level of biosecurity. Employees must dress properly and go to the sauna. Kaur said: 'I think Estonian hospitals are not as clean.'