African Swine Fever Outbreak in Spain Triggers International Pork Import Bans and Economic Alarm in Catalonia

Spain is grappling with significant economic and trade challenges following the outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF), a highly contagious disease with no known cure or vaccine. The Spanish agency CNA has implemented a ban on all pork products entering the country by sea and air to curb the virus's spread.

Several countries, including Taiwan, Mexico, and Japan, have banned pork imports from Spain as a precaution. Japan and Mexico have completely ceased imports, while others like the United States, the United Kingdom, and South Korea have limited restrictions to affected regions. China, a major market for Spanish pork, has yet to make a decision. In 2023, Spain exported 560,000 tons of pork to China, accounting for 26% of China's pork imports worth 1.2 billion euros.

The outbreak's spotlight is on Catalonia, where the discovery of eight additional dead wild boars in the Sierra de Collserola has exacerbated concerns. Regional authorities, including economic expert Ordeig, have warned that this crisis threatens a large portion of Catalonia’s GDP, underscoring the urgency of effective containment measures.

Authorities have called for public cooperation to prevent the virus’s spread beyond the park area, emphasizing that even indirect transmission via shoe soles or vehicle wheels is a risk. While controls in Collserola Park have been bypassed by some citizens, entry has not been formally prohibited. Law enforcement is prepared to enforce regulations with fines if necessary.

Given the worsening situation, the Generalitat is considering requesting support from the Military Emergency Unit to locate deceased animals and manage containment efforts. This outbreak is seen as a public health crisis with potentially deep economic repercussions for Spain’s pork industry and regional economies.