
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
Congo declares its latest Ebola outbreak over, after 43 deaths - 2
Chinese astronauts’ return to Earth delayed over fears spaceship damaged by debris - 3
Satellite data reveals a huge solar storm in 2024 shrank Earth's protective plasma shield - 4
6 Famous Urban communities for Shopping on the planet - 5
Tributes pour in for MIT professor Nuno Loureiro amid unresolved shooting case
Flu illness count nears 5 million, with New York City among the hardest hit
The Force of Organic product: 10 Assortments That Improve Your Wellbeing
Careful Living: Embracing the Current Second
Czech Republic's new premier: No money for Ukraine
Instructions to Investigate Different Open Record Extra Offers Actually
From Novice to Master: Dominating a Side interest
What are the health benefits of whole milk for kids?
The Specialty of Cleaning up: Change Your Space and Brain
Manual for Mountain Objections on the planet













