
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
IDF finds weapon of slain hostage Capt. Daniel Perez in booby-trapped Gaza compound - 2
Fact Check: Some Bridge Photos Circulating Do NOT Show The Hongqi Bridge That Collapsed In Southwest China Nov. 11, 2025 - 3
Watch interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS speed away from the sun in free telescope livestream on Nov. 16 - 4
Holiday weather forecast: Where travelers can expect a wintry mix, flooding and record warmth across the U.S. - 5
Find the Mysteries of Effective Objective Setting: Transforming Dreams into Feasible Targets
Nikki Glaser returns as host of the 2026 Golden Globes: Everything the comedian has said about the upcoming awards show
A definitive Frozen yogurt Standoff: Which Flavor Rules?
'Every day I planned an escape': Ariel Cunio shares details of Hamas captivity
FDA approves Wegovy pill for weight loss
Protest inspired by 'Gen Z' movement draws few young people in Mexico and many government critics
At least 18 Palestinians killed in latest clashes in Gaza
Police break up illegal chicken slaughter in Germany
The Manual for Electric Vehicles that will be hot dealers in 2023
How a cocktail of rogue storms and climate chaos unleashed deadly flooding across Asia











