
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
'Everyone in this prison has had family killed or shot' - 2
The Red Sea strategy: What does Israel stand to gain from recognizing Somaliland? - 3
4 injured in suburban Philadelphia nursing home explosion file negligence lawsuit - 4
What are parents to do as doctors clash with Trump administration over vaccines? - 5
Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin launches landmark Mars mission in New Glenn rocket’s first big test
Surprising links between autism, Alzheimer’s could change how we treat both
Step by step instructions to Think about Disc Rates Across Various Banks
Esteem Stuffed Gaming Workstations to Consider
Find the Excellence of Old style Expressive dance: Encountering the Effortlessness and Polish of Dance
Hanwha Ocean secures orders worth $866m for five vessels
How we came to be: Scientists get first look at the evolution of early complex animals
'Fertiliser costs mean I'm better off not planting'
SF Chinatown's historic Empress of China building being revived into cultural campus
Bold Colors, Playful Shapes, Handmade Textures: This Mexico City Home Is 100% Joyful!













