
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
Tributes pour in for MIT professor Nuno Loureiro amid unresolved shooting case - 2
25 Years Ago, Audi's Rosemeyer Concept Was A Steampunk Supercar With A Massive Engine - 3
I'm 18 and founded an AI startup. I have to wake up at 3 a.m. to work on it before school, but it's worth every sleepless night. - 4
Report: Russian military pressuring students to work as drone pilots - 5
The moon up close: How the Artemis 2 astronauts are photographing their historic lunar flyby
'A completely new manufacturing frontier': Space Forge fires up 1st commercial semiconductor factory in space
Jury says Johnson & Johnson owes $40 million to 2 cancer patients who used talcum powders
Figure out How to Improve Your Stream Voyage with Remarkable Trips and Exercises
Trial of pro-Palestine activist begins
1st human missions to Mars should hunt for signs of life, report says
Miss Thailand Pageant Contestant's Veneers Fall Out During Speech on Stage
Why Cannes Is the Ultimate New Year’s Eve Destination in the South of France’s Off-Season
Israeli Chief of Staff declares new border with Gaza Strip
6 Solid Vehicle Fix Administrations to Keep Your Vehicle in Prime Condition













