The UK has imposed an immediate ban on pork imports from Spain following the first detection of African swine fever in over three decades.
Defra confirmed that all fresh pork from Spain will be held at Border Control “until further notice” as authorities respond to the outbreak, which was detected in wild boar near Barcelona.
African swine fever is a deadly virus for pigs and wild boar but is not harmful to humans. Highly contagious and without a vaccine or cure, outbreaks often result in mass culling and can survive in products like ham, bacon, and sausages.
Spain’s government has activated emergency measures in Catalonia, a key pig-farming region. Agriculture Minister Luis Planas revealed that roughly a third of Spain’s pork export certificates—around 130 of 400—have been blocked, impacting exports to 104 countries.
The virus has been spreading across Europe, disrupting markets and triggering bans. Germany faced major trade restrictions in 2020, and Croatia has battled outbreaks in recent months.
Spain, Europe’s top pork producer, had avoided the disease in domestic herds since 1994. The latest detection threatens the €8 billion pork industry and key export markets. Taiwan has already banned all Spanish pork imports, with China reportedly restricting shipments from Barcelona province.
Authorities in the UK and EU continue to monitor the situation closely as the outbreak unfolds.
