A pilot scheme covering 15 districts across mainland Portugal is offering payments of up to €70 per animal culled above historical averages.
The Government reported that the programme covers more than 1,300 hunting areas across 65 municipalities and encourages a reduction in wild boar numbers, which have been linked to growing damage to agricultural land.
Launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Sea through the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF), the pilot scheme will reward hunting areas that cull more animals than their historical average.
This scheme will remain in place until the end of May 2027, with a total budget of €500,000 available to eligible hunting areas.
Culling payments
Participating hunting areas can receive €50 for each male wild boar and €70 for each female culled above their historical average.
An additional €10 per animal is available when the carcass is sent to an approved game handling establishment, encouraging the use of the meat rather than its disposal.
However, payments are capped at €2,000 per hunting area.
The Government says it selected the municipalities for the scheme based on technical and scientific criteria.
Faro, Aveiro, Beja, Braga, Bragança, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Évora, Guarda, Lisbon, Porto, Santarém, Setúbal, Vila Real and Viseu are among the selected districts.
Identification requirements
Applicants must individually verify every animal culled to qualify for financial support.
Each carcass must carry a numbered seal, and the animal must be registered on the ICNF’s RUBUS platform within 15 days of its death.
Furthermore, applicants must also provide an identified hair sample bearing the seal’s serial number, along with three dated, georeferenced photographs showing the animal’s sex, the seal, and the entire carcass.
The Government has stressed that the pilot scheme does not replace existing support measures or compensation for farmers who have suffered losses caused by wild boar.
In 2024, wild boar caused losses to maize crops and pastures estimated at around €8 million.