The State is negotiating with various countries to "limit as much as possible" the economic impact of swine fever.

Madrid / BarcelonaThe Spanish government is negotiating at all levels to "limit as much as possible" the economic impact of African swine fever, confirmed after two cases were detected—with four more cases pending validation—in two wild boars in Collserola. ASF is a disease caused by a virus that has no effect on human health—neither through contact nor consumption of meat—but is highly contagious between wild boar and pigs, with mortality rates approaching 100%. For this reason, some countries are very protectionist regarding imports from countries where this disease has reappeared. Specifically, the Minister of Agriculture, Luis Planas, has stated that 20 countries have, so far, blocked the purchase of Spanish pork products.

Today, the State exports a total of 104 countries for a value of 8.784 billion euros, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Agriculture corresponding to 2024. Half of this pork exports come from Catalonia.

At a press conference this Saturday, Planas explained that these twenty countries are not making any exceptions based on region, for example, limiting exports only from the affected area, nor by product. Among the destinations are [unclear - possibly "Catalan Pork" - representing 786 million euros -], second only to China (1,063 million) and France (1,054 million). Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Mexico are also included, representing a smaller share of total Spanish exports, although in the case of Catalonia, Vietnam and Mexico do play a significant role. However, the ministry is cautious in quantifying the economic impact of this blockade because negotiations are underway to try to ease it. "Everything can change in hours or days," sources from Planas's team indicate. The minister insisted that they will fight "file by file, country by country, certificate by certificate." Currently, a third of the 400 pork export applications are blocked.

Meanwhile, 24 countries, although they have imposed restrictions on pork trade with Spain, limit them to the affected region. This is the case, for example, with China, which has blocked the entry of pork products only from the province of Barcelona. This is a relief for the Spanish and Catalan sectors, as the Asian country represents a significant portion of their pork exports. The list of countries that have also blocked exports, but with geographical limitations—only the affected area—includes the Philippines, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and Serbia, among others. Currently, the impact of the swine fever outbreak is limited to a 20-kilometer radius from where cases have been detected. Farms and industries within this radius are fully affected by the blockade and cannot sell their meat, even within the European Union. In any case, sources at the Ministry of Agriculture downplay the impact because no major activities have been identified. However, it's worth remembering that for now, the cases are limited to wild boar, so the plague hasn't spread to livestock farms.

Guaranteed supply

Planas took the opportunity to send a message of "calm" to the public and a call for "prudence and responsibility" to the meat sector, which represents a significant part of livestock and agro-industrial activity in Spain, and particularly in Catalonia. Specifically, Spain is the leading pork producer in the European Union and the third largest in the world, behind only China and the United States. "The supply of pork is guaranteed, and [African swine fever] has no impact on human health," the minister reiterated. The minister also noted that "compensation is planned" for affected producers, although he insisted on proceeding "step by step." "For now, there are two wild boars affected," Planas reiterated, and reminded everyone that in the event of an impact on pork prices, the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets already has pre-established economic measures in place.

Confined farms

The area where the cases have been detected lacks large livestock farms, but the 39 farms within a 20-kilometer radius of the outbreak will have to be confined for at least twelve months and under strict controls by the health authorities, according to the Director General of Agri-food Production Health and Animal Welfare. The Minister of Agriculture, Òscar Ordeig, has announced the closure of all human activity within a six-kilometer radius of the point where the cases were found. In statements to the Catalan News Agency (ACN), Ordeig explained that this means that leisure and sporting activities, hunting, and forestry work will be prohibited. Speaking to ACN, the Minister said: "We will be working on the ground 24 hours a day until further notice with traps, cages, and perimeter fences to prevent the spread."

He also announced that the Generalitat (Catalan government) has already begun a control process at the 39 farms located within a 20-kilometer radius and explained that biosecurity measures have been increased "to prevent this virus from entering" the farms. "The next few hours will be very important," he stated.

Studies have determined that there are five farms within a 10-kilometer radius of the outbreak and 34 within a 20-kilometer radius. According to the director general, government technicians have already begun conducting visits, and so far, no symptoms of African swine fever (ASF) have been detected. García Muro acknowledged that the measures are strict, but the area is small and restricted. He also emphasized that there are no slaughterhouses within this 20-kilometer radius.