This outbreak, the first since 1994, coincides with Spain’s efforts to strengthen its relations with Beijing and gain a share in the pork market, especially after China imposed tariffs on European pork following an anti-dumping investigation.
Spain is the largest pork producer in the European Union, contributing about a quarter of the bloc’s production, ahead of Germany. Madrid’s annual pork exports are worth about 3.5 billion euros ($4.05 billion).
Emilio Garcia, Director General of Agricultural and Food Production Safety and Animal Welfare, explained in a press briefing that this measure is in line with a bilateral protocol recently agreed with Beijing. He added that once China announces the activation of this protocol, Spain will be able to resume exports from areas not affected by the virus.
Barcelona is located in the Catalonia region, and data from the Ministry of Agriculture indicates that about 7% of the country’s pig farms are located in this region.
The farmers’ association in Spain (“Asaja”) confirmed that the sector is ready to face the outbreak, but added that the authorities must deal with the “uncontrolled presence” of wild animals such as boars and rabbits in rural areas, which poses a threat to livestock. It added: “We have spent years modernizing farms, strengthening biosecurity and making our operations among the most advanced in the world.”
The ministry announced that it had notified the European Union and activated emergency measures in the affected area, and urged pig farms to tighten security measures, while investigators are trying to find the source of the infection.
The virus, which is harmless to humans but deadly to pigs, has begun to spread in Western Europe in the past few years.
The massive German pork industry has already been affected after several countries imposed a ban on German pork.
