Catalonia will extend the wild boar hunting period to try to contain the African swine fever crisis. The announcement was made this Tuesday by the Minister of Agriculture, Òscar Ordeig, during his appearance before the Agriculture Committee of the Parliament, where he stated that the modification will be incorporated into the annual resolution of closed seasons.
"We will modify the open season for wild boar in the annual hunting ban resolution and extend it. Therefore, wild boars can be hunted for more months of the year" - Òscar Ordeig, Minister of Agriculture
The head of Agriculture defended that the answer involves facilitating captures and supporting those who participate in this control. Along those lines, he assured that the Government wants to favor training, aid for the purchase of ammunition, and also to extend the hunting calendar.
"We have to facilitate catches, people who want to take courses, aid for the purchase of ammunition and also the hunting season. And we will go in that direction" - Òscar Ordeig, Minister of Agriculture
No changes in the risk zone
Ordeig did not update this Tuesday the data he had already communicated on April 1. There are still 268 wild boars captured in the last week within the 20-kilometer radius, with 366 samples analyzed and three new positives, which raises to 241 confirmed cases of African swine fever.
The minister insisted that the territorial situation has not moved either and that 18 municipalities remain within the risk zone.
"Also, 18 municipalities remain within the risk zone. Nothing has changed" - Òscar Ordeig, Minister of Agriculture
Within the containment device, Agriculture has reported the installation of 222 physical barriers in wildlife crossings and up to 45 kilometers of fences. In addition, fences are being reinforced on expressways such as the AP 7, the C 58, the C 16 and the B 23.
"The Collserola, Besòs, and Llobregat areas must be shielded. And also the ground zero area north of the B 40" - Òscar Ordeig, Minister of Agriculture
Price recovery, but fall in exports
In the economic sphere, the minister assured that the price of pork has recovered during the last four weeks and that it is already at pre-crisis levels. Even so, he clarified that it is still below the 2025 records.
It was also recalled that Catalan agri-food exports closed 2025 with record figures, although the swine crisis was already felt in the last month of December. The first balance sheet for January 2026 points to a decrease in the exported value of pork of close to 17%, while the reduction in volume is more contained.
"83% of the markets we have open, with the exception of Japan and the Philippines, and the objective is to demonstrate that we are safe" - Òscar Ordeig, Minister of Agriculture
Ordeig defended maintaining traditional markets and, at the same time, opening new ones. Despite the partial recovery of the price, he warned that the crisis remains open and called for maintaining the same line of work through the control of African swine fever and sanitary emptying.
Defense of the operation and criticisms from the opposition
During the appearance, the minister addressed the criticism from the CUP and defended the participation of the Civil Guard in the management of the emergency. He explained that from the beginning all available technical and logistical means were requested, both from other autonomous communities and from the Government and the European Union.
"From minute zero it was important to make a containment movement. The UME initially helped and then the Civil Guard with its canine units and the sacrifice of animals" - Òscar Ordeig, Minister of Agriculture
In the turn of the groups, Junts deputy Jeannine Abella celebrated the extension of the wild boar hunting ban and claimed that her party had already proposed it three months ago. She also asked to be inflexible with those who violate restrictions in the natural environment.
From ERC, Montse Vergés demanded to incorporate the African swine fever contingency plan into Procicat to work in a more coordinated way with the rest of the bodies. The PP deputy Eva García reproached the Government that the origin of the outbreak is still unknown and asked if a truly external audit of the IRTA CReSA facilities is being considered.
The Vox deputy Rafael Villafranca described as very worrying the lack of coordination between the Generalitat and the pig sector and considered insufficient the measures adopted so far. For her part, the Comuns deputy Núria Lozano asked to specify the next lines of action to manage wild fauna with scientific criteria and give priority to the agricultural sector.
The extension of the wild boar hunting season is thus incorporated into the package of measures with which the Government tries to curb the spread of the disease in the affected area, while keeping the focus on wildlife corridors and on the municipalities that remain at risk.