
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
6 Agreeable Earphones To Wear - 2
Oldest sequenced RNA reveals details about a mammoth’s final moments 40,000 years - 3
Study finds humans were making fire 400,000 years ago, far earlier than once thought - 4
The most effective method to Decisively Plan Your Nursing Profession for the Best Compensation Results - 5
The Best Design Bloggers for Style Motivation
Enormous Credit And All that You Really want To Be aware
Home Plan Tips for Seniors
Manual for Mountain Objections on the planet
Steinmeier honours Italian 'guest workers' who rebuilt German economy
Tech for Wellbeing: Applications and Devices for a Better You
The Best 15 Applications for Efficiency and Association
Farmers call for French blockades over cow disease cull
College students are now slightly less likely to experience severe depression, research shows – but the mental health crisis is far from over
A definitive Burger Confrontation: Which One Rules?













