The Catalan government plans to widen financial support for businesses hit by the ongoing swine fever crisis. Eligibility will extend beyond the meat sector to restaurants and other businesses in restricted green zones such as Collserola. Authorities are responding to mounting losses and closures linked to disease-control measures.
The new aid package is due for approval at the next Consell Executiu. It will provide relief to any business that can show at least a 30% drop in turnover due to the swine fever outbreak. Eligible businesses include restaurants forced to close in affected areas, along with farms and other enterprises operating within the established control perimeters. The regional government and the Institut Català de Finances will manage the support jointly, Agriculture Minister Òscar Ordeig said.
Until now, the Generalitat had focused its response on the meat industry and stayed in close contact with processing companies since the crisis began in November. The economic fallout has since reached a wider range of businesses, particularly those in or near green zones where access and activity have been restricted to contain the disease. International trade in certain meat products remains suspended. Exports are expected to resume only after a full year without new cases among wild boar.
Unió de Pagesos says the sector has lost €1.5 billion since the outbreak began. Farms within restricted zones will be able to access financing lines through the ICF, and restaurants can also qualify for aid. Slaughterhouses in the province of Barcelona are set to receive support through a separate stream. The total budget will depend on how many businesses 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 cull shows the severity of the crisis and the challenge of restoring normal business activity in affected regions. Catalonia’s approach follows a broader trend in Spain, where targeted financial packages have addressed sector-specific emergencies, including 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 led to strict movement controls and the closure of public spaces in several parts of Catalonia. The restrictions have hit tourism and hospitality, while agriculture has also been affected, leaving many businesses facing prolonged uncertainty. The new measures are intended to provide financial relief as authorities work to eradicate the disease and restore confidence in the region’s food and hospitality sectors.
African swine fever has remained a threat across Europe, causing impressive economic losses in affected countries. In Spain, its spread among wild boar populations has complicated eradication efforts, requiring coordinated action by regional governments and farmers, with public health authorities also involved. Catalonia’s decision to broaden support reflects how closely rural economies are connected and how animal health crises affect local communities.
