
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
Council removes proposal to rename park named after former president of Israel - 2
Italian police hold suspected boss of Naples Mafia's Mazzarella Clan - 3
Extreme Manual for Picking a Camper Van - 4
Voting begins in Uganda’s presidential election during internet shutdown and polling station delays - 5
This is Countdown, CNN’s newsletter covering NASA’s first time sending humans to deep space in over 50 years
Delta flight bound for Atlanta makes emergency landing after engine issue
3 Italian City Cars That Outsmarted Regulations and Rivals
US bishops officially ban gender-affirming care at Catholic hospitals
McDonald's is bringing two 'KPop Demon Hunters' meals to McDonald's. Here's what they include and when they launch.
Volkswagen Just Built a Plug-In Tiguan for China That America Doesn’t Get
Instructions to Keep up with Your Traded Teeth for Life span
Eating Brie, Gouda, cheddar may lower dementia risk, new study says
‘Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale’ hits streaming: How to watch, cast info and everything you need to know
'Hero' who wrestled gun from Bondi shooter named as Ahmed al Ahmed













