Farm slaughter in Viljandi County delayed due to escalating demonstrations
News Article: Culling of Pigs at Nurme Farm in Estonia Postponed Amidst Protests
In the small town of Nurme, Viljandi County, Estonia, a controversial decision to cull nearly 4,500 pigs has been postponed yet again, due to growing protests and the prioritization of resources for another African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in Põlva County.
The ASF outbreak at Nurme Farm was confirmed by both Estonian and Spanish labs in late July and early August. The disease, which affects pigs but not humans, has been spreading rapidly among wild boar populations across southern Estonia and several domestic pig farms.
Initially, the cull was postponed after protests demanded waiting for foreign lab confirmation. The Spanish reference lab tests confirmed ASF at the farm, and authorities planned to start culling quickly to contain the disease. However, as of mid-August, the culling has been postponed again, this time because the Agriculture and Food Board (PTA) redirected efforts to a more urgent ASF outbreak in Põlva County.
The protest outside Nurme Farm was organized on social media by the Estonian Union for the Protection of Animals (ELL). Kristi Metsa from the ELL stated that they want the farm to be given the chance to wait for the test results from the Spanish lab. Metsa, along with several others, confirmed that they would stay overnight at the protest site.
The PTA director general, Raimo Heinam, stated that the decision to postpone is to wait for lab results from Spain. He added that the farm currently meets exemplary biosecurity standards, and the risk of the disease spreading beyond the farm is low.
Valmar Haava, CEO of Saimre Agro Group, which owns Nurme Farm, stated that nearly 4,500 samples taken over a week had come back negative. He acknowledged that when it comes to ASF, the illness and identification of one infected pig is considered equivalent to the entire farm being infected.
Metsa expressed distrust in Estonian labs, while the ELL does not trust the PTA in this situation. Despite this, Heinam reiterated that the decision to cull the animals will not be changed due to the confirmed presence of the virus on the farm.
As of now, the culling at Nurme Farm is confirmed but currently postponed. The management balances urgent ASF containment against public opposition and resource allocation. More people are already arriving at the protest site, and it remains to be seen when the culling will resume.
[1] Estonian Agricultural and Food Board (PTA) press release, July 2025. [2] Estonian Public Broadcasting, August 2025. [3] Estonian Public Broadcasting, August 2025. [4] European Food Safety Authority, 2025. [5] World Organisation for Animal Health, 2025.
Food safety and mental health are of utmost importance amidst the ongoing African swine fever (ASF) outbreak at Nurme Farm in Estonia. The Estonian Union for the Protection of Animals (ELL) organized protests, highlighting their concerns about the culling of nearly 4,500 pigs and demanding the farm be given more time for foreign lab confirmation [3]. These health-and-wellness related concerns for the animals and mental health of ELL members reflect the broader conversation about ethical treatment of farm animals and the impact of such decisions on individuals' well-being.
