
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
The Longest Underwater Tunnel Connecting Germany and Denmark - 2
Jill Hennessy was a '90s TV staple. Now she's in her fearless era. - 3
Turkey’s intel chief lays out country’s vision for Middle East, world - 4
New dietary guidelines recommend more dairy, meat and fats: What to know - 5
I asked ChatGPT who would win a Golden Globes. Here's what it got right — and totally wrong.
Army commander convicted of Guinea stadium massacre dies in prison
April's full moon decides the date of Easter — here's how it works
Toddler diagnosed with cancer makes remarkable recovery after aggressive treatment
Brazil's ex-president Bolsonaro operated on for hernia
Tech for Wellbeing: Applications and Devices for a Better You
Members of Kenya-led security mission in Haiti were involved in rapes, U.N. says
UAE used military bases in Red Sea region to aid Israel's war against Hamas, leaks reveal
Iran War Derails The Automotive Industry
Volkswagen Just Revealed a Massive Range-Extended SUV for China, and America Isn’t Getting It












