The wild boar of Flanders, however, are proving to be an even more formidable enemy. Last winter hunts were organised to cull the growing numbers of boar, which destroy crops. In Zedelgem, West Flanders, hunters organised a month-long hunt and killed precisely zero boar. In Postel, Antwerp province, 140 beaters and 60 hunters spotted 60 boar on one afternoon in February, and finished the day with a total of one kill.

So what’s the answer? The idea of wolves, believe it or not, was bandied about the Flemish parliament. But that’s not going to work, according to environment minister Joke Schauvliege, speaking in answer to a question from socialist Chokri Mahassine. Wolves are gradually making their way towards Flanders, but the region doesn’t have enough wilderness to support the kind of wolf population required to keep wild boar growth under control, she said.

In any case, she added, wolves are not all that keen on wild boar. According to studies in the German-Polish border region, wolves prefer roe deer, followed by red deer. Boar make up only 15% of their diet. People, too, have little to fear from wolves, Schauvliege said, which are fearful and prefer to keep well clear of humans.