Spain on alert over loss of billions of euros in exports due to African swine fever

The first outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in Spain in more than 30 years is threatening exports worth billions of euros.

The virus has been detected in nine wild boars that died from the disease in Catalonia, according to the latest report from the Ministry of Agriculture in Madrid.

"However, pigs on closed farms remain unaffected," the minister responsible, Luis Planas, said today.

ASF is not dangerous to humans, but it is extremely contagious and fatal to pigs.

Last year, Spain exported pork worth almost 7.5 billion euros, around 5.0 billion euros to the EU and almost 3.7 billion euros to other countries.

The first cases of infection were announced last week, and now around 20 countries have banned all imports from Spain.

Other countries, including the biggest buyers, China and the UK, have decided to import only from regions outside the affected area near Barcelona for the time being.

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