The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food of the Generalitat, Òscar Ordeig, has stated that the limitations on the use of the natural environment derived from African swine fever (ASF) will continue "at least" until summer, despite recognizing the complexity of prolonging these measures for such a long period.
In an interview in "El País" reported by Europa Press this Tuesday, the minister has detailed that the possible end of restrictions in Collserola (Barcelona) "will be decided by the technicians", and that, for now, the priority is to intensify wildlife captures.
"Killing wild boars is the only solution, this is a health crisis. It is not a political position. Whoever wants to defend animals must think that if ASF leaves the zero zone, all wild boars will die and we will destroy the entire economy of the country," he defended.
Reopening of markets
Ordeig has appealed to reinforce the "credibility and reputation" of the sector through the work that is carried out in the coming months, and has pointed out that, when an improvement in the situation is confirmed, regionalization agreements can be closed that are not yet in force, according to what he has indicated.
Asked about the possibility of regaining access to markets such as Japan or the Philippines, large buyers of pork, he replied: "Yes, and we are on the right track. With January data, we see that we continue to export well. The economic volume has decreased, but we have opened new markets by having competitive prices. We have 83% of the market reopened and we must continue this way."
EU-Mercosur Agreement
Regarding the trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Mercosur, the minister has stressed that the Government does not view with suspicion this type of agreements "if the same controls and the same restrictions are required", including border controls, a safeguard clause and an economic compensation fund for the sectors that may be harmed.
"We are a place in the world with higher quality, safe, sustainable, innovative foods with economic potential, sufficient. We are clear about where we want to go. It cannot be that every day more paperwork is requested and there are more adverse regulations," he warned.
Increase the captures
The head of Agriculture has indicated that in Catalonia a population of between 120,000 and 180,000 wild boars is estimated, and that the Government's goal is to reduce by half the number of specimens present in the territory.
Within this objective, an essential part is to eliminate all wild boars within a 20-kilometer radius around the outbreak, for which 222 wildlife crossing closures and 45 kilometers of fences have been placed, in addition to allocating 45 million euros to emergency contracts.
They have specified that, in the range between zero and six kilometers from the focus, they calculate that it will be necessary to sacrifice 800 animals, and in the ring comprised between six and 20 kilometers, around 6,000.
In the areas located beyond 20 kilometers, the Generalitat has launched specific population control plans in Central Catalonia, Girona and Lleida.