
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
Instructions to Pick the Right Toothpaste for Your Dental Requirements19.10.2023 - 2
Most loved Occasion Dish: What Makes Your Merry Table?01.01.1 - 3
Mars orbiter sees 'butterfly' crater spread its wings on the Red Planet05.12.2025 - 4
Melodic Event: A Survey of \Energies and Exhibitions Assessed\ Live concert10.08.2023 - 5
Space station changes command, setting stage for Crew 11 departure12.01.2026
Which Carrier Do You Suggest? Vote
From Amateur to Master: My Involvement in Photography
Space debris: will it take a catastrophe for nations to take the issue seriously?
The Response to Self-improvement: Embracing a Development Outlook
Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' trailer: See Anne Hathaway, Matt Damon and Tom Holland in 1st look at movie
A definitive Manual for Well known Fragrances
Unusual 'ingredients' helped stars form in a galaxy near the Milky Way
Factbox-Weight-loss drug developers line up to tap lucrative market as competition heats up
The most effective method to Pick The Right Speakers













