
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
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS' journey through our solar system, in photos - 2
Figure out How to Recognize the Right Areas for 5G Pinnacles\ - 3
Journalists killed by Israeli strike in southern Lebanon - 4
Gaza amputees struggle to rebuild lives as the enclave faces shortages of prosthetic limbs - 5
Ukraine Now Using Drone Boats To Attack Russian Riverine Targets
The Most Notable Design Brands of the 21st Hundred years
Grasping the Basics of Business Land Regulation
Genetic study identifies earliest-known dog, dating to 15,800 years ago
Collection of 7,000-year-old ostrich eggs discovered under sand dunes in southern Israel
What you need to know about flu treatments as cases spike across the US
New ‘Cloud-9’ object could reveal the secrets of dark matter
5 Great Youngster Care Administrations To Watch in 2024
Man triggers smoke bomb during failed crypto robbery
'Inflaming tensions': Bedouin mayor slams Ben-Gvir's unauthorized visit after meeting cancellation












