
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
Dependable Savvy Locks to Update Your Home Security - 2
Experiences in Natural life Protection: Individual Progressives' Excursions - 3
‘I love this work, but it’s killing me’: The unique toll of being a spiritual leader today - 4
AI is making spacecraft propulsion more efficient – and could even lead to nuclear-powered rockets - 5
The most effective method to Promoter for Cellular breakdown in the lungs Mindfulness in Your People group
Space station changes command, setting stage for Crew 11 departure
Reporter's Notebook: The Post embeds with foreign armies visiting the IDF
Humpback whale stranded on Germany's Baltic coast frees itself
Vote In favor of Your Favored Keeping an eye on
Step by step instructions to Pick A Keep money with High Fixed Store Loan costs
Unpaid caregiving work can feel small and personal, but that doesn’t take away its ethical value
Astronomers detect black hole blasting winds at incredible speeds
6 Web-based Staple Help You Can Trust
Newly Identified ‘Lucy’s Hunter’ Was a 15-Foot Crocodile Lurking in Ancient Ethiopia













