
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
Decrease in Home Buy Credits and Home loan Renegotiating Rates: An Outline of Latest things - 2
Vote in favor of Your Number one kind of pie - 3
'The Golden Bachelor' Season 2 finale: How to watch tonight, start time, where to stream and more - 4
4 Famous Attractions at Disneyland - 5
Figure out How to Advance Space in Your Pre-assembled Home for Upgraded Usefulness
'Home Alone' actor Joe Pesci said 'no' to this stunt until he saw a 9-year-old girl do it, says director Chris Columbus
Photos: Hundreds Gather at Bondi Beach After Deadly Attack
The next frontier in space is closer than you think – welcome to the world of very low Earth orbit satellites
6 Asian Urban areas to Visit
Bolsonaro says hallucinatory effects of meds made him tamper with ankle tag
Instructions to Keep up with Your Traded Teeth for Life span
6 Famous Cell phone Brands All over The Planet
I work with companies to confront addiction in the workplace. The hidden crisis is costing corporate America millions.
CDC clarifies stance on vaccines and autism, stating no evidence supports the link












