The reason why Chile suspended pork imports from Spain

According to the agency, the alert was activated following the notification of two wild boars testing positive for African Swine Fever (ASF) in Barcelona, the first such finding since 1994. This event resulted in the loss of the country's free status before the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), which forced Chile to adjust its controls. From now on, any pork product of Spanish origin, or without a label that allows its origin to be verified, will be intercepted and destroyed. In parallel, the SAG intensified inspections at Santiago Airport, with a special focus on passengers coming from Europe or who have made connections in that continent. The institution recalled that, while the disease does not pose a risk to human health, it does cause a severe impact on domestic pigs and wild boars due to its high lethality. A potential entry of the virus into Chile, the institution emphasized, would be especially critical for the pork industry, which remains among the main ...