February 6, 2026

Resolution approved to modify measures against ASF in Catalonia, Spain

The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food in Catalonia, Spain, has approved a resolution modifying the measures for the prevention and control of African swine fever (ASF) in the region, while also reporting 18 positive new cases of ASF in Spain, confirmed by the reference laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Since the first ASF detection in two wild boars in November 2025, 103 positive cases have been found in Spain from the total 980 wild boars tested. In the high-infected area, between 0 and 6 kilometers, it is estimated that there are about 200 animals left to test.

The department has increased captures to reduce wild boar populations throughout Catalonia, especially in the affected area from 0 to 20 km, with traps, silencers and tracking with canine units. In parallel, the task force continues to search for wild boar carcasses within a radius of 6 km, the establishment of fences and containment elements, as well as veterinary controls on pig farms, where no cases of the disease have been detected.

Catalonia's resolution mainly modifies the restrictions applied to the low-risk zone (6-20 km), adds some prohibitions to the high-risk zone (from 0-6 km) and includes a third zone with new restrictions, the Collserola Natural Park.

Starting January 30, in the low-risk area, as long as the disease situation does not change, the restriction on people's access to the natural environment is lifted, both on a private scale and to carry out organised sports, educational or recreational activities. Regarding the high-risk area, where all the positive cases reported so far are concentrated, the restrictions remain unchanged.

Catalonia's Agriculture Minister Òscar Ordeig said it was "the intensification of catches and the coordinated work with the sector, experts and town councils [that] have borne fruit and allowed the restrictions in the low-risk zone, from 6 to 20 km, to be lifted." He also urged residents to not let their guard down in the area and "for citizen collaboration to comply with the new restrictions and those that remain."

- National Hog Farmer