Wedoany.com Report-Dec.8, Chile's Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) announced on Wednesday that it has immediately suspended all imports of pork and pork-derived products from Spain following confirmation of an African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in that country.

The measure applies to fresh, frozen, processed and other pork items originating from Spain and is intended to protect Chile's domestic swine population and pork industry from the highly contagious viral disease, which does not affect human health but can cause severe losses in pig farming.

SAG stated that the suspension will remain in place until Spanish authorities provide updated technical information and Chile completes a risk reassessment. Imports from other countries are not affected by this decision.

Chile maintains strict sanitary controls on animal products and regularly updates its import requirements in response to disease notifications reported through international organisations such as the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). The current action follows standard protocol applied in similar situations worldwide to prevent introduction of African swine fever.