The outbreak of African swine fever is having a major impact on the Catalan agri-food sector, where pork exports are a key pillar and last year accounted for 19% of total Catalan food and beverage exports. Starting this Friday, have been restricted immediately halt all pork exports to countries outside the EU.

The outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD) that currently affects Seventeen dairy farms in Alt Empordà and one in Gironès, has all cattle farmers in Catalonia on tenterhooks. While the Department of Agriculture and Livestock's vaccination campaign progresses 50 km around the outbreaks of the disease, the sector is experiencing days of "fear" and "anxiety," hoping that the virus does not spread and the situation does not worsen further. Meanwhile, the markets remain stable, with a certain "tense calm" in the prices of milk and beef, as we await the impact of the disappearance, overnight, of the nearly 2,000 head of cattle that have already been recovered.

Catalonia launches, starting September 1, a new model of recreational sea fishing which applies to the entire coast and introduces significant changes to how, when, and what can be fished. The new regulation establishes minimum sizes; maximum catch quotas per species, person, and day; and biological closures for 44 species. These include species most appreciated by lovers of recreational fishing, such as sea bream (Sparus aurata) or the sea bream (Diplodus sargus).

The regulations that govern the practice of recreational fishing In inland waters off the coast of Barcelona, Tarragona, and Terres de l'Ebre, the restrictions will be tightened starting in September, once the new regulations announced by the Department of Agriculture this Monday are approved. The new regulations follow the model in force since 2024 on the Girona coast, which establishes daily quotas and minimum sizes for 44 species. It also includes a fishing ban for some specimens—in a dozen cases—for a period of time. The regulations will affect both recreational fishermen on boats and those who fish with rods from the coast or those who practice underwater fishing.

The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food of the Government of Catalonia has launched the Honey Action Plan for Catalonia 2025-2028, which aims to strengthen the nutritional value of Catalan honey. According to the Minister of Agriculture, Òscar Ordeig: "Honey is a heritage of Catalan cuisine and plays a major role in gastronomy," and therefore, its production and consumption are to be promoted.

Creating and maintaining strong links between the countryside and the city, and between consumers and producers, as well as promoting direct sales from family and small-scale farmers, are two key challenges of Catalonia's Food Strategy. For this reason, the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food (DARPA) of the Government of Catalonia aims to promote regulations that guarantee local agricultural products in municipalities. The goal is to strengthen local agriculture, promote healthier and more sustainable eating habits, and guarantee local producers direct access to the urban market.