Swine fever was discovered on one of Lithuania's largest pig farms this month sparking causing mass death rates in pigs. Fears that the disease could spread to other farms in the Baltics and Poland have been raised, reports The Baltic Times

Now, a Baltic-Polish task force of food and veterinary service specialists from the four countries will be set up to combat the spread of the disease. Agriculture ministers of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland agreed to the plans after a meeting.

Latvian agriculture minister Minister Janis Duklavs said: "A common position is necessary in our talks with the European Commission for co-financing to help combat the spread of the disease, as well as for compensations and other support mechanisms."

Close cooperation between the Baltics and Poland is needed also to implemented prevention measures throughout the region, and to make sure this is coordinated at a high level, the minister added.

African swine fever in Lithuania and Poland was discovered for the first time at the beginning of this year. The swine fever was first confirmed in Latvia on 26 June.

A week later, Saeima declared a state of emergency from 2 July until 1 October in dozens of counties in Latvia.