Britain Halts Pork Imports from Spain Amid African Swine Fever Scare

Britain has temporarily ceased pork imports from parts of Spain following the country's first confirmed cases of African swine fever in over 30 years. This decision impacts Spain's pork export industry, especially from Catalonia, a major pig farming region. The outbreak poses significant economic concerns given Spain's substantial pork industry.

Britain announced a halt on Friday to pork imports from parts of Spain after the country identified its first cases of African swine fever in over three decades. The temporary measure affects Spain's crucial pork export industry, particularly from Catalonia, a key region for pig farming.

The UK's Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) stated that all fresh pork and related products from Spain would be retained at border control points until further notice. Spain has exported 37,600 metric tons of pork to the UK in 2025, valued at over 112 million euros, marking significant economic implications for both countries.

The highly contagious swine fever, which affects pigs and wild boar but poses no risk to humans, has spread across Europe recently, leading to disrupted pork markets and trade bans. With Spain being Europe's top pork producer, the detection near Barcelona is concerning, threatening its 8-billion-euro pork industry.

(With inputs from agencies.)