African Swine Fever Sparks Animal Rights Debate

The news in Croatian

1. groznica  (f.)
   Stanje povišene tjelesne temperature i osjećanja trešnje tijela. ↩︎
2. zabrinutost  (f.)
   Osjećaj brige i straha zbog nečega. ↩︎
3. etički
   Koji se odnosi na moralna načela i vrijednosti. ↩︎
4. uzgoj  (m.)
   Proces razvoja i reprodukcije životinja ili biljaka. ↩︎
5. poljoprivreda  (f.)
   Djelatnost koja se bavi uzgojem biljaka i životinja za hranu. ↩︎
6. smanjiti
   Učiniti nešto manje po veličini, broju ili količini. ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What concern is caused by the spread of African Swine Fever in Croatia?

Question 2: What solution does the organization Prijatelji životinja propose?

Vocabulary

Croatian	English
groznica  (f.)	fever
zabrinutost  (f.)	concern
etički	ethical
uzgoj  (m.)	breeding
poljoprivreda  (f.)	agriculture
smanjiti	reduce

Read the full story

The rapid spread of the African swine fever in Croatia has ignited significant concern among the public, particularly due to the economic losses impacting the swine industry. The epidemic, which has necessitated the culling of over 4,000 pigs since early 2025 with an ongoing effort to euthanise another 12,000, has become a focal point for the animal rights organisation Prijatelji životinja (Friends of Animals).

While the economic impact of the outbreak is widely reported, Prijatelji životinja emphasises the perspective often overlooked—that these animals are more than mere statistics. The organisation highlights the tragedy, noting that the daily passage of swine carcasses, as witnessed by shocked citizens, underscores a profound loss that transcends economic considerations. Snježana Klopotan Kačavenda, a project coordinator with the organisation, remarks, “One does not need to be vegan to recognise the tragedy that cannot be quantified in monetary terms.”

The group argues that pigs, known for their complex social behaviours and intelligence, often surpass that of dogs, are sentient beings capable of experiencing fear, pain, and suffering. They lead sophisticated social lives, form bonds, and, even under ordinary farming conditions, face substantial cruelty.

The conditions of industrial farming attract criticism from Prijatelji životinja, who points to “immense overcrowding, poor sanitation, and the brutal realities of slaughter” as inherent flaws. The organisation stresses the ethical implications of rearing animals for food, arguing that it is not only detrimental to the animals themselves but poses risks to human health as well.

Beyond ethical concerns, the organisation cites health implications tied to meat consumption, referencing the World Health Organization’s findings that processed meat is carcinogenic. The organisation contends that even small portions of processed meat can significantly increase cancer risk. Potential health risks linked with high animal protein diets—including heart disease and diabetes—are of particular concern.

In response to the ongoing crisis, the group advocates for a shift towards plant-based agriculture as a long-term solution. By focusing on crops like beans and lentils, they argue, it is possible to produce nutritious food sustainably, without the associated ethical dilemmas, health risks, and environmental damage linked with animal farming.

Prijatelji životinja implores the public to consider steps towards more sustainable and ethical food production practices, advocating for a transition that could preclude future outbreaks and the accompanying necessity for large-scale animal culls.

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