Swine Fever Outbreak in Catalonia Prompts Government Response to Protect Exports
Catalonia, Spain – Authorities are working to contain an outbreak of African swine fever detected near the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), with concerns focused on limiting the impact on Spain’s meaningful pork export market. The origin and full geographical extent of the outbreak remain unknown, though officials believe it emerged in recent days.
The outbreak shares similarities with previous cases in Belgium and Italy,both occurring near densely populated areas and transportation routes. Minister Luis Planas suggested the virus may have been introduced by a traveler from one of the 13 European Union countries currently affected, perhaps via vehicles, clothing, or contaminated food. In both prior instances, the virus was successfully eradicated in wild boar populations without spreading to farmed animals.
Spain’s pork sector generates €8.8 billion in annual exports, with 58% (€5.1 billion) destined for EU markets. Initially, the EU will restrict imports onyl from farms within a 20-kilometer radius of the UAB. The remaining 42% (€3.7 billion) is exported to countries with varying regulations regarding African swine fever.
According to Minister Planas, 24 countries could potentially halt imports from the province of Barcelona, while another 20 could suspend imports from all of Spain. China, a key market for Spanish pork, has agreed – following a recent visit by the Spanish Royal Family - to initially limit restrictions to farms within the province of Barcelona.
