Catalonia plans to ease African swine fever restrictions by end of year

Catalonia plans to begin easing restrictions imposed to contain African swine fever (ASF) towards the end of the year, Agriculture Minister Òscar Ordeig said on Wednesday.

He warned, however, that access to natural areas would remain restricted for now.

The government will set up a working group with local mayors and experts to examine how to reopen natural areas "safely."

Ordeig said starting the process now, as some local councils have requested, would be "premature."

The Agriculture Department confirmed five new cases on Wednesday – four in Barcelona and one in Sant Cugat – bringing the total number of infected wild boar to 396.

Final phase

In a meeting with mayors, Ordeig said the plan to eradicate ASF is entering its "final phase," focused on the outbreak's epicentre and capturing remaining wild boar in urban areas and removing carcasses.

Ordeig said any easing of restrictions would depend on the data.

"We have no certainties. The only certainty we have is that we must continue the good work of containing the virus, clearing the area and tracking positive cases. Above all, we must not undo the good work that has been done so far," he said.

37 citations

Authorities have issued 37 citations for breaches of restrictions regarding access to Collserola Natural Park since November 29 last year, when containment measures were introduced after an outbreak of ASF was detected in wild boar in Cerdanyola del Vallès, just outside Barcelona.

Although the virus does not affect humans, it is highly contagious among pigs and wild boar and can survive in the environment for extended periods.

Recreational access to the natural areas of Collserola Natural Park is currently prohibited, although residents may still reach their homes and entry remains permitted to schools, facilities, businesses, public transport stations and paved roads within the park.

Permitted activities include forestry work related to fire prevention, professional maintenance tasks such as waste collection and the cleaning of recreational areas, as well as authorised wildlife management and control operations carried out by the relevant authorities.

Earlier this month, Ordeig announced that Collserola park will remain closed "for at least three more months" due to the ASF outbreak.

Previously, in June, the government said restrictions would remain in force "at least until the end of summer."