Faced with the challenge posed by African Swine Fever (ASF), the Spanish pig sector is demonstrating why it is a world leader. The current situation leaves a clear reading: the joint work between farmers, veterinarians and administrations is working, and the containment of the virus is a reality.
Biosecurity as a pillar of containment
The management of the situation in Spain is being characterised by high efficiency. To date, the epidemiological situation remains under strict control.
Detected cases remain limited to wild boar populations. in a very specific area, in Catalonia. At the same time, good control by the health authorities is playing a key role in containing the disease and preventing its spread.
Thanks to the efforts of the sector and the rigorous application of health protocols, the domestic pig herd remains intact. Raising biosecurity standards, perimetral control of farms and rigour in the day-to-day running of farms are acting as a real firewall against the disease.
International prestige: a unique export guarantee
The Ministry of Agriculture has been clear: Spain's rigour in animal health is one of the pig sector's greatest assets. While in other countries the appearance of cases of ASF leads to the immediate closure of markets, the transparency and solidity of the Spanish health system has allowed a large part of international trade activity to continue.
Spain currently has active 82 % of its export licences for pigmeat, and retains approximately 80 % of the total volume of its exports, despite the presence of outbreaks in wild boar.
According to the Ministry itself, it would be very difficult for any other country in a similar situation to maintain these figures. This demonstrates the confidence that international markets, especially those outside the EU, place in the Spanish health control system. If a product comes from a free zone within the country, the guarantees are considered absolute.
A sector that knows what it is doing
This scenario shows that the so-called “Spanish model” works. The regionalisation and zoning that Spain defends before the European Union and third countries is sustained by the commitment of the sector itself.
Every farm, every farmer and every professional involved is doing their part. The result is clear: it is possible to coexist with a health threat in wildlife without paralysing the sector or closing international markets.
The key now is to maintain the same high standards that have got us this far: maximum biosecurity, constant vigilance and total transparency.