
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
Sports Shoes of 2024: Upgrade Execution and Solace - 2
Anti-war protests held across Israel under wartime gathering limits - 3
US FDA panel to weigh bid to market nicotine pouches as lower-risk than cigarettes - 4
Ten Awesome Authentic Realities That Will Leave You Interested - 5
Instructions to Safeguard Your Speculations In the midst of Changing Disc Rates
SpaceX launches Starlink missions in dual-coast spaceflight doubleheader (videos)
Trump announces 'Patriot Games' with 2 competitors from every state and territory: What we know
Tech Patterns 2023: 12 Advancements to Keep an eye Out For
Germany's Deutsche Welle broadcaster declared 'undesirable' in Russia
Key Caper d: A Survey of \Procedure and Tomfoolery Released\ Tabletop game
Paris Agreement target off the table, report says
4 well known subjects in school
Several injured as man threatens attack on German high-speed train
Evaluated Smartwatches for Wellness Devotees












