Flörsheim Forest in danger: African swine fever stops forestry work

Flörsheim Forest in danger: African swine fever stops forestry work

African swine fever has plunged the Flörsheim Forest into a crisis! What looked like a success until the middle of the year was abruptly stopped by the confirmation of the first case of the animal disease in the Groß-Gerau district on June 15, 2024. Klaus Velbecker, the head of the Groß-Gerau Forestry Office, had previously reported a positive year, with a profit of 23,860 euros. But now all forestry measures are banned in the core zone of the forest, and the city has to prepare for a massive deficit.

Swine fever stops all forestry work

The effects of swine fever are devastating: all activities that could scare wild boars are prohibited in exclusion zone 2, which also includes the Flörsheim Forest. “That led to serious cuts,” said Velbecker. New wood is no longer allowed to be cut and hunting is completely forbidden. Only maintenance measures are permitted, which drastically reduces income. For 2025, the forestry office expects timber sales proceeds of just 9,968 euros, while expenses will rise to 35,633 euros. A deficit of 21,995 euros is therefore inevitable!

Illegal activities in the forest

The situation is made even worse by illegal mushroom pickers in the forest. Despite strict measures to contain swine fever, these people are active, which Klaus Velbecker describes as illegal. “It’s all illegal,” he emphasizes. It is forbidden to leave paved forest paths in the entire Groß-Gerau district, and the forestry office has already built 300 kilometers of protective fences. But these barriers are often broken down or stolen. Velbecker warns that swine fever could remain an issue for more than two years as long as new cases are reported daily.