
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
Vote In favor of Your Favored Web based Dating Application - 2
Starship success, a private moon landing and more: The top 10 spaceflight stories of 2025 - 3
Farewell, comet 3I/ATLAS! Interstellar visitor heads for the outer solar system after its closest approach to Earth - 4
IDF destroys Hamas shaft in northern Gaza with loaded 'ready to fire' rocket aimed at Sderot - 5
2024's Hot Games: Must-Play Titles of the Year
Find the Interesting Universe of Computerized reasoning: the Capability of man-made intelligence
Faulty glucose monitors linked to 7 deaths and more than 700 injuries, FDA warns
Solar storms can trigger auroras on Earth. This star’s explosion could destroy a planet’s atmosphere
Teen drug use remains low, but survey finds small rise in heroin and cocaine use
4 Electric Vehicle Brands: Execution, Unwavering quality, and Development
6 Shades Brands For Seniors
Bombardier Global 8000 Enters Service
Private sector revives the climate disaster database Trump tried to squash
Ancient fire discovery marks significant milestone in human history













