
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
Lucky airplane passengers capture NASA's Artemis 2 moon launch from the sky - 2
The Green Transformation: 5 Feasible Living Practices - 3
Explainer-Why are hepatitis B vaccines given to newborns? - 4
Israel issues notice that Ben-Gurion Airport flights likely restricted until at least April 16 - 5
Share your number one city visit transport that leaves a mark on the world wake up!
Cannabis reclassification could 'open the floodgates' for research, scientists say
Flourishing in Retirement: Individual Accounts of Post-Vocation Satisfaction
Manual for Famous people Known for Their Altruistic Endeavors
Expert advice for new stargazers: How to begin your amateur astronomy journey
Vote in favor of your #1 Sort of Convenience for a Family
Transform the daily grind to make life more interesting – a philosopher shares 3 strategies to help you attain the good life
NASA's Voyager 1 set to achieve historic distance from Earth
The most effective method to Refresh the Infotainment Framework in the Volvo XC40
New images reveal interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS approaching Earth













