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Catalonia Plans Boar Culls as Swine Fever Cases Reach Nine Near Barcelona

Authorities pivot to wild boar population control to safeguard the pork sector.

Overview

  • Catalonia will accelerate wild boar culls and broader population control after African swine fever was confirmed in nine animals in the Collserola area outside Barcelona.
  • Officials say no domestic pig farms are infected, with holdings within roughly 20 kilometers under quarantine and testing that has so far returned negative results.
  • A multiservice containment operation continues, with police, park rangers and 117 UME troops using drones, infrared searches, sniffer dogs, fencing and traps, supported by EU veterinary experts.
  • Trade disruptions persist as about one-third of export certificates are suspended, while China and Britain allow shipments from unaffected regions and Spain negotiates similar regional arrangements with Canada.
  • Investigators view contaminated food consumed by a boar as a likely introduction route, though unconfirmed, and authorities expect additional wild boar positives as searches expand.