
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
Data centers in space: Will 2027 really be the year AI goes to orbit? - 2
New dinosaur tracks in Italy illustrate herds moving in unison - 3
Happy with Running Shoes for 2024 - 4
Watch Blue Origin's huge New Glenn rocket ace its epic landing on a ship at sea (video) - 5
Figure out How to Advance Space in Your Pre-assembled Home for Upgraded Usefulness
The Extraordinary Excursion of Dental Embed Innovation
What did the gov’t approve for Israel’s 2026 state budget?
Private sector revives the climate disaster database Trump tried to squash
6 Arranging Administrations to Change Your Open air Space
Current Chateaus: Advancement and Style
Mickey Lee of 'Big Brother' fame dead at 35 after flu complications, family says
See as Your #1: These Low-Sugar Food sources You Ought to Attempt
5 Cell phones of the Year
Bavarian leader questions Germany's Eurovision participation













