LONDON (Reuters) -Britain said on Friday it would temporarily stop imports of pork meat from parts of Spain after the country confirmed its first cases of African swine fever in just over three decades.
Britain is one of Spain's main customers for pork, and the move comes as authorities in Madrid activated emergency measures in Catalonia, a region central to pig farming.
"Following an outbreak of African Swine Fever in Spain, all fresh pork and other affected products from Spain will be held at Border Control Posts until further notice," Britain's environment department (DEFRA) said in a statement.
"We will continue to monitor the situation and keep all measures under review," it added.
Spain exported 37,600 metric tons of fresh and frozen pork to Britain so far in 2025, worth over 112 million euros ($129.93 million), up 17% in volume and 9.5% in value compared with all of 2024, according to data from the government-backed body the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.
The virus is a highly contagious disease that affects pigs and wild boar but poses no risk to humans. It has no vaccine or cure and often leads to mass culling when detected in farmed herds.
The disease has spread westwards in Europe in recent years, disrupting pork markets and prompting trade bans. Germany's outbreak in 2020 led to sweeping restrictions from major buyers such as China, while Croatia has battled infections in recent months.
Spain, the European Union's top pork producer, has so far avoided the virus in domestic pigs since 1994, making the latest detection in wild boar near Barcelona a significant concern for its 8-billion-euro ($9.28 billion) pork industry and export markets.
Britain's government earlier this year banned personal imports of ham and other meat and dairy products from all EU countries to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, following a rising number of cases.
($1 = 0.8620 euros)
(Reporting by Disha Mishra, Kanjyik Ghosh in Bengaluru and Sam Tabahriti in London; Editing by Chris Reese)
latest_posts
- 1
8 Fundamental Stages: Novice's Manual for Secure Your Android with a VPN - 2IDF says up to 90% of Iran’s weapons industry could be hit within days
- 3What's going on with Katseye? The Manon Bannerman hiatus drama, explained.
- 4Midlife weight gain can start long before menopause – but you can take steps early on to help your body weather the hormonal shift
- 5The Leonid meteor shower is peaking early this week. Here’s what to know
- The 10 Most Significant Games in History
- This Miraculous, Cliff-Perched Town In The South Of France Is A Sacred European Gem
- Instructions to Adjust Work, Life, and Seeking after a Web based Advertising Degree
- Explora Journeys becomes latest cruise line to be impacted by Middle East war
- Vaccine committee votes to scrap universal hepatitis B shots for newborns despite outcry from children’s health experts
- Israel and Iran continue tit-for-tat attacks
- Consume Fat Quick: 10 Demonstrated Activities for Ideal Outcomes
- Ancient Pompeii construction site reveals the process for creating Roman concrete
- Germany's Pistorius: NATO protects Europe from Iranian missiles
