Brussels, 22/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - So as to prevent the propagation of classical swine fever that broke out in Spain on 14 June, the Standing Veterinary Committee (SVC) decided through a qualified majority on Friday (with Spain's opposition and with France abstaining) to tighten Community measures banning the export of live pigs (as well as their embryos, semen and ova) from a part of that country. So far limited to the province of Lerida in Catalonia, the embargo has been extended until 15 July to the whole region of Catalonia (Lerida, Barcelona, Tarragon, with the exception of the province of Gerona), to the province of Castellon (in the region of Valencia), and part of the province of Huesca (Valencia).
Spain, which took precautionary measures going further than the decision adopted so far by the SVC, was counting on a relaxation of the Community restrictions. France and the Netherlands would have decreed a unilateral ban on the import of pig meat and embryos from the country as a whole (and Italy was preparing to do so), but the Commission sources say that these embargoes had not been notified.
The Commission's services are in constant contact with the local authorities in Spain, notably to exchange information on the geographic origin, still unknown, of the outbreaks (seven to date, six of which in the province of Lerida). Since the beginning of the outbreak, over 15,000 pigs have been slaughtered in Catalonia. The SVC is to meet on 10 July to asses the situation, but it has not been ruled out that a crisis meeting could be held before that date.