
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
Last supermoon of the year, the cold moon, seen across the U.S.: See the photos - 2
California officials warn against foraging wild mushrooms after deadly poisoning outbreak - 3
Evidence of lost baptismal rite stage uncovered in Byzantine era cathedral near Sea of Galilee - 4
Robert Pattinson claims he's a pathological liar. What 'The Drama' star has said about his 'shtick' - 5
Iran war drives global fertilizer prices up, raising food cost fears
Scientists dove hundreds of feet into the ocean and found creatures no human has ever seen. Our trash beat us there
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS reveals weird wobbling jets in rare sun-facing tail
Sean 'Diddy' Combs faces new sexual assault allegations, currently under investigation by Los Angeles Sheriff's Department
Palestinians forced from West Bank refugee camps left in limbo as Israeli demolitions go on
Turkey's Erdogan denounces Israel-Greece-Cyprus trilateral summit, affirms support for Gaza
Discovery of massive spider's web in Greece reveals unexpected behavior
US students studying housing, health outcomes and sustainability win 2026 Rhodes scholarships
UK consumer confidence plunges amid escalating Iran conflict
Volkswagen Just Built a Plug-In Tiguan for China That America Doesn’t Get












