Denmark began construction of a border fence with Germany Monday. The fence is designed to keep out an unwanted population of wild boars, which may carry African Swine Fever and threaten the nation's pork industry.
Denmark is reacting to the widespread disease, which has ravaged porcine populations in China, Eastern Europe, and elsewhere. Earlier this month, the disease reached a Chinese farm heavily funded by Danish foreign investment.
Denmark, which has twice as many pigs as people, moved quickly to secure its own industry. The decision to construct a barrier received early backing from Minister of Environment and Food Esben Lunde Larsen. He warned in March 2018 that allowing the disease to spread into the country would threaten $1.8 billion in non-EU exports.
Germany shares a land and water border with Denmark and has a large wild boar population. Only several hundred wild boars have migrated to Denmark, creating a short window for Denmark to keep out the disease.
Denmark's parliament approved the construction in June 2018, with support from several political parties. Construction began exactly on time. The fence was initially expected to cost $12 million. At 30 million kroner, the final product will run under $5 million. In addition to a fence, Denmark planned to install advanced cameras and allow the public to participate in the effort.
Gaps in the 43-mile fence will allow wanted animals, including deer and the protected wild wolf, to move between the two countries.
Last year, the French government rolled out "reinforced surveillance in four administrative departments (counties) bordering Belgium and extra measures to protect" the nation's industry.
Belgium, which borders France and Germany, confirmed an outbreak of the disease late last year, the first time in over thirty years.
Poland is reportedly considering a wall of its own.
"This new outbreak represents the expansion of the disease, for the first time during the current pandemic, into Western Europe," said Paul Sundberg of the Swine Health Information Center. He warned the global disease may have reached "pandemic proportions."
African Swine Fever does not pose a risk to humans.