Spanish Authorities and Pork Sector Join Forces to Tackle Swine Fever Outbreak

In an emergency meeting held recently, the Spanish pork sector collaborated with the Ministry of Agriculture to address confirmed cases of swine fever in the province of Barcelona. Minister Luis Planas described the meeting as constructive, highlighting a spirit of mutual trust between the government and the agricultural sector. Currently, there are two confirmed cases of swine fever, with several samples undergoing examination. The primary objective is to define the area where these incidents have occurred to prevent further spread of the disease. At a post-meeting press conference, Minister Planas assured the public that no additional positive cases have been reported from the original site of the outbreak. "There are only two confirmed cases, and all necessary control measures are being implemented," Planas reiterated, emphasizing the need for vigilance. He pointed out that the region of the outbreak is under close scrutiny, with the authorities working diligently to delineate the affected areas. Additionally, the Minister shared positive news regarding international trade. He confirmed that China has applied a regionalization strategy, which effectively excludes Barcelona from areas monitored for swine fever, allowing for continued exportation to 104 countries. However, Japan and 19 other nations still reject regionalization measures. This situation poses a challenge for both the pork sector and the government as they strive to maintain market access. "The reaction has been immediate. The sector is taking all necessary measures, and the Generalitat is also engaged, even requesting assistance from UME agents to manage the situation," Planas noted. Although there is no official confirmation as to how the virus was introduced, preliminary findings suggest that it could stem from a human consumption product imported from another country that was affected by swine fever. When questioned about the impact of the confirmed cases, Minister Planas refrained from speculating on potential damages, emphasizing the importance of focusing on eradication efforts. "As of today, our priority is to eliminate the focal point of the outbreak. We are committed to real-time monitoring to ensure swift action," he asserted. The Minister set a timeline of twelve months for the complete eradication of swine fever; if the last case is reported, Spain can regain its status as a swine fever-free country automatically. Throughout this process, the Ministry stands in close collaboration with the pork sector and regional authorities to control and mitigate this health risk effectively. Stay updated with all developments by following El Huffpost on our mobile APP, available for both Android and iOS users. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2