
MADRID, Nov 29 (Reuters) - About one third of Spanish pork export certificates have been blocked after the first outbreak of swine fever for three decades, Spain's agriculture minister said on Saturday.
"Of the 400 export certificates to 104 countries, a third are blocked. We are working to open them as quickly as possible," Agriculture Minister Luis Planas told a press conference.
The virus, last recorded in Spain in 1994, was detected in six wild boar near Barcelona.
Planas said the value of the country's pork exports is 8.8 billion euros ($10.20 billion), of which 58% goes to the European Union.
He said exports to the EU were not affected except those which fell within a 20-kilometre zone near the source of the outbreak.
"Our task is to keep international markets open," he added.
Spain's northeastern region of Catalonia has barred access to a major natural park after six wild boar found dead near Barcelona tested positive for African swine fever.
The Collserola park was closed for all leisure activities and outdoor activities were restricted in 60 villages near the centre of the outbreak, the Catalan Agriculture Ministry said late on Friday.
Catalan authorities will deploy traps for wild boar and deploy police to enforce barriers to the area.
African swine fever is not harmful to humans but spreads rapidly among pigs and wild boar.
Taiwan was the latest country to announce restrictions on Spanish pork imports, when its agriculture ministry said on Saturday it had banned all pork products and live pig imports.
China has banned pork imports from Barcelona province, a Chinese Customs document seen by Reuters showed.
Britain on Friday said it would temporarily stop imports of pork meat from Catalonia. Mexico has suspended imports of pork products from Spain.
$1 = 0.8624 euros)
(Reporting by Graham Keeley, Editing by Timothy Heritage, Kirsten Donovan)
latest_posts
- 1
As reefs vanish, assisted coral fertilization offers hope in the Dominican Republic - 2
5 Fundamental Ways to employ a Criminal Legal counselor - 3
How did this 20-light-year-wide 'Diamond Ring' form in space? Maybe a cosmic bubble burst - 4
Birds at a college changed beak shapes during the pandemic. It might be a case of rapid evolution - 5
German politician urges more face-to-face interaction in digital age
Merz visit highlights new strategic, and strained, Germany-Israel bond
8 Espresso Bean Starting points All over the Planet
The Best Games On the planet
The 15 Most Compelling Books in History
Golden Globes 2026 full nominations list: 'One Battle After Another' and 'The White Lotus' lead in film and television categories
Without evidence, CDC changes messaging on vaccines and autism
My Enterprising Excursion: Building a Startup
Addressing sleep apnea early might decrease chances of developing Parkinson's disease
The Significance of a Land Lawyer for Your Business













