– LORENA SOPÊNA – EUROPA PRESS
El conseller de Agricultura, Ganadería, Pesca y Alimentación de la Generalitat, Òscar Ordeig, ha asegurado que el Govern dedica «todos los esfuerzos» para que el bloqueo a las exportaciones de cerdo fuera de la Unión Europea se limiten al radio de 20 kilómetros desde el foco.
Lo ha dicho este jueves en rueda de prensa para informar sobre las últimas novedades sobre el brote, en la que ha celebrado que la Comisión Europea ha mantenido este criterio y que se está negociando con varios países para que lo acepten.
Ordeig ha explicado que China, que representa el 40% de las exportaciones, ha aceptado la regionalización de la provincia de Barcelona y que «costará mucho modificar este criterio», and that Filipinas, Reino Unido and Chile have accepted the 20 kilometer criteria.
He added that negotiations are ongoing with South Korea, Serbia and Japan — which represent around 30% of the total — but that it will be difficult in the case of Japan.
CAPTURES
Ordeig has explained that currently no captures are being made within the 6 kilometer radius from the focus and that the Govern is analyzing whether they should be done and how, always with the criterion of closing the perimeter and not «doing anything» that could cause the animals to flee and disperse.
He has detailed that the latest data available to the Govern is that in the Collserola Natural Park there is a population of 10 wild boars per square kilometer, that is, between 800 and 900 specimens.
In any case, he has assured that the further away from the focus «the more forceful one can be», so the hunting of wild boars will be promoted throughout Catalonia.
In addition, the creation of a «white corridor» is being analyzed, where the wild boar population within the 20 kilometer radius will also be eliminated to prevent any disease-transmitting vector.
SUPPORT TO THE SECTOR
The conseller has explained that the economic impact on the sector if all countries in the world accept the regionalization of the 20 kilometers until February «would be manageable», as it would allow for containment and facilitate assistance.
He added that on Thursday he will meet with the five largest pork exporting companies in Catalonia to find solutions and minimize the impact on the sector’s occupation.
In the 39 farms that remain within the 20 kilometer radius, he said that they already have a reference slaughterhouse and that they are in «constant contact» with them, and that they will have a specific aid package within the package to be approved next Tuesday.
EU TECHNICIANS
Ordeig has explained that the European Union technicians who have visited Catalonia between Wednesday and Thursday have given «a very positive assessment».
«They have been very surprised by the mobilization of public resources» that are being used and by the coordination, speed and transparency with which the administrations act.
On the other hand, he explained that on Thursday the canine groups from Andorra and the Community of Madrid will start working, and that the Govern will launch a communication campaign to help the sector.