The move follows a meeting of members of the veterinary authority Rosselkhoznador for the Moscow and Tula regions, the Committee of Veterinary Medicine of Moscow's Main Department of Veterinary Medicine, Moscow Region, the Office of the hunting and game resources of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Moscow region and Moscow Society of Hunters and Fishermen last week.

The meeting raised concerns that relations had broken down between the hunting community and the veterinary authorities and the Moscow chief vet was criticised for not paying enough attention to the issue.

Mr Nepoklonov issued the order to destroy numbers of wild boar in a bid to reduce the risk of the spread of African Swine Fever in the regions.

At the meeting concerns were raised about the potential risk from the disease in the hunting areas around Moscow because of the numbers of wild boar and also because of the concerns over the way that waste products are left after hunting.

The veterinary officials said that not enough attention was being paid to the risks.

There were also concerns expressed at the meeting over the danger of rabies also spreading among the wild life in the regions.