
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
Carnival fever hits Lagos as locals celebrate Afro-Brazilian heritage - 2
'Stranger Things' made him a heartthrob. He left Hollywood anyway. - 3
Earth's newfound 'episodic-squishy lid' may guide our search for habitable worlds - 4
ISS astronaut evacuation shouldn't interfere with upcoming Artemis 2 moon mission, NASA chief says - 5
Watch India launch advanced military satellite on rocket's 1st flight since May 2025 failure
Volkswagen Just Revealed a Massive Range-Extended SUV for China, and America Isn’t Getting It
Pacific voyagers’ remarkable environmental knowledge allowed for long-distance navigation without Western technology
Turkey, Egypt, Qatar discuss second phase of Gaza ceasefire deal
Dancing through the crackdown: The satirical song soundtracking post-Khamenei Iran
In the stomach of a mummified wolf pup, scientists find DNA from a woolly rhinoceros
Venice’s newest marvel is a wild, acrobatic dolphin. His refusal to leave puts him in danger
South Africa pushes for $200B investment
The 10 Most Noteworthy Games in History
37 Things Just Individuals Experiencing childhood during the 80s Will Comprehend













