Catalonia will offer financial support to businesses affected by swine fever restrictions. The aid targets restaurants and farms in closed green areas. Companies must show a 30% drop in turnover to qualify.
The Catalan government is set to widen its financial support for businesses impacted by the ongoing swine fever crisis, extending eligibility beyond the meat sector to include restaurants and other activities in restricted green zones such as Collserola. The move comes as authorities respond to mounting losses and closures linked to disease control measures.
The new aid package, to be approved at the next Consell Executiu, will provide economic relief to any business able to demonstrate at least a 30% reduction in turnover due to the swine fever outbreak. This includes restaurants forced to close in affected areas, as well as farms and other enterprises operating within the established control perimeters. The support will be managed jointly by the regional government and the Institut Català de Finances, according to Agriculture Minister Òscar Ordeig.
Until now, the Generalitat had focused its response on the meat industry, maintaining close contact with processing companies since the crisis began in November. However, the economic fallout has spread to a wider range of businesses, particularly those located in or near green zones where access and activity have been restricted to contain the disease. The international trade of certain meat products remains suspended, with exports only expected to resume after a full year without new cases among wild boar.
According to Unió de Pagesos, the sector has already suffered losses of €1.5 billion since the outbreak began. In addition to restaurants, farms within the restricted zones will be able to access financing lines through the ICF, while slaughterhouses in the province of Barcelona are also set to benefit from a separate stream of aid. The total budget for these measures will depend on the number of businesses that apply and meet the eligibility criteria.
Minister Ordeig reported that 11,000 wild boar have been culled since November as part of the containment strategy. The scale of the intervention highlights the severity of the crisis and the challenge of restoring normal business activity in the affected regions. The Catalan government’s approach mirrors broader trends in Spain, where targeted financial packages have been deployed in response to sector-specific emergencies, as seen in the recent emergency funding allocated to Ceuta to address local economic disruption.
Swine fever, a highly contagious viral disease affecting pigs and wild boar, has prompted strict movement controls and the closure of public spaces in several parts of Catalonia. The restrictions have had a direct impact on tourism, hospitality, and agriculture, with many businesses facing prolonged uncertainty. The new aid measures are intended to provide a financial lifeline while authorities work to eradicate the disease and restore confidence in the region’s food and hospitality sectors.
For context, African swine fever has been a persistent threat across Europe, leading to significant economic losses in affected countries. In Spain, the disease’s spread among wild boar populations has complicated eradication efforts, requiring coordinated action between regional governments, farmers, and public health authorities. The Catalan government’s decision to broaden support reflects the interconnected nature of rural economies and the ripple effects of animal health crises on local communities.
