The Government defends the "full independence" of the committee investigating the origin of the swine fever outbreak

BarcelonaThe Catalan Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food, Òscar Ordeig, defended on Tuesday the "full independence" and "absolute autonomy" of the group of experts investigating the origin of the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in Collserola. This committee, created by the Catalan government, must clarify whether the virus arrived from another country—for example, through contaminated meat or other biological remains of infected pigs—or whether, as currently seems more likely, it originated in a laboratory, possibly the Animal Health Research Center (Cresa-Irs), or in wild boars that died from the virus. "No one has more desire, incentive, and willingness to clarify" the origin of the outbreak than the Catalan government, Ordeig said at a press conference. According to the regional minister, the members of the committee, appointed this Sunday, are "recognized experts from other institutions" outside of Cresa and, therefore, have full capacity to freely investigate the origin of the epidemic. "We are letting the scientists do their work," he reiterated.

In total, however, the committee is made up of six experts. These include the four independent experts mentioned by Ordeig and two other members of the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), which oversees CRESA. Furthermore, the logistics coordinator will be CRESA's director, Josep Usall, although he is not formally a member of the committee. According to the regional minister, the inclusion of two IRTA members does not compromise the independence of the expert group's work; rather, it is justified, as it is necessary to clarify technical aspects of the institution's operation, its laboratories, and the research conducted there. Ordeig added that the Catalan government is open to any other external contributions: "All scientists from the country, from Spain, and from Europe will be welcome and their input will be heard," he said. A court in Cerdanyola del Vallès will be responsible for opening proceedings to clarify whether there has been an alleged environmental crime. Ordeig has shown the Generalitat's "full cooperation" with the justice system should it be necessary.

For now, the regional minister maintains the total number of positive cases at 13, all detected within the 6-kilometer radius considered the origin of the outbreak. Furthermore, "today we will complete 100% of the search" of the area to find dead or infected wild boars within the 6-10 km radius. This search has been carried out 50% on foot, 30% with drones, and 20% with canine units, according to Ordeig. From there, the searched area will be expanded to the 20-kilometer radius that marks the infected zone. Currently, wild boars continue to arrive for testing, which is "normal" given the high density of this mammal in the Collserola area, but Ordeig reiterated that "the vast majority" are negative.

Similarly, virus monitoring continues on animals at the 55 farms located in the 91 municipalities within a 20-kilometer radius, all with negative results. Ordeig reported that "animals are already being taken to the slaughterhouse for essential reasons," as planned. Before going to the slaughterhouse, the pigs are tested to rule out infection. The slaughtered animals will be used for domestic consumption.

Reduction in the wild boar population

Meanwhile, the government is preparing a plan to reduce the wild boar population as one of its responses to the outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) affecting these animals in the Collserola region. This outbreak has forced the declaration of a health emergency and the suspension of pork exports from the country, as also announced by Ordeig. The epidemic has highlighted the high density of wild boar in the natural environment, a known fact that, until now, had lacked a comprehensive plan to address. This plan, requested by the President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, aims to "increase wild boar capture and reduce their negative impact," explained the regional minister. "We must eliminate the wild boar population. It can be said in any language, in Girona, in Lleida, or in the Pyrenees: There are too many wild boar," Ordeig emphasized. The regional minister highlighted that in recent years there has been a slight decrease in the density of wild boar per square kilometer in many areas of Catalonia, but this is insufficient and does not offset the sharp increase in the presence of these mammals over the last two decades. The minister cited the Collserola Wild Boar Roundtable as an example, which has halved the population of this mammal in the area and 70% of the incidents it causes, but it is a unique case that has not yet spread to other parts of Catalonia.

The Catalan government believes it is necessary to reduce the wild boar population due to the problems caused by overpopulation, starting with the spread of African swine fever (ASF)—a virus that affects domestic pigs and wild boar, but not humans or other animals—and also other diseases that do affect human health, such as tuberculosis. "They go into cities, where they shouldn't be, they interact with people, and they cause damage to agriculture and accidents on our roads. This cannot continue," declared Ordeig. In this regard, 10 days ago the government allocated one million euros to programs to reduce the population of this animal and provides aid of between 25 and 30 euros per animal killed to compensate for transport costs, in addition to aid for "the marketing of game meat" and other projects to promote traditional cuisine.

Ordeig opined, however, that "a change of mentality is needed among the general public regarding forest management and the overpopulation of syngetic fauna" in order to implement new measures "rigorously and with professional criteria." He also asked that "prejudices against hunters and farmers be set aside."

Approval of aid

Furthermore, the executive council formally approved on Tuesday the various economic support measures for businesses affected by African swine fever (ASF), announced last week by the Catalan government. The Generalitat (Catalan government) opened a €10 million grant program last week—which can be increased by another €10 million—to "mitigate the economic impact that the disease may cause," according to a government statement. Likewise, the Catalan Finance Institute (ICF) maintains an open line of credit for "companies and entities affected by climate emergencies," including African swine fever. Regarding the possibility of providing public aid to businesses affected by movement restrictions within a 20-kilometer radius, Ordeig stated that the Catalan government is prepared to study the matter if justified, but added that "it is still too early." The regional minister thanked the public for respecting the access restrictions to natural areas in the 91 municipalities during the long weekend for the Immaculate Conception, measures that will remain in place until December 14.

After the regionalized reopening of the South Korean market Regarding the Spanish pork sector, Ordeig stated that the current priority is to secure the reopening of the Japanese and Philippine markets. While talks between the Spanish and Philippine governments remain open in the latter case, the minister is more pessimistic about the former, as well as the latter in the case of Mexico.