The Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of the Generalitat, Òscar Ordeig, announced on Sunday that African swine fever (ASF) was contained within a radius of six kilometers around the Collserola area, where the wild boar infection originated. The number of cases tested positive remains at 13, but containment efforts are far from becoming more flexible. Ordeig once again asked citizens not to set foot on the roads or in areas of vegetation located within the 20 kilometer radius of the Collserola Natural Park, for fear that the virus would spread, infecting farms and aggravating a crisis that is already tainting the pig sector. The citizens understood the seriousness of the message and the warnings found an echo among the population: this Sunday, in the middle of the Purísima celebration weekend, there were very few of them walking this Sunday in the zero point of Collserola, the largest urban park in Europe.
The neighbors themselves were very surprised by the small influx of people. Damià Gibernet lives on the Can Mandó farm, in the middle of the natural park: “Last weekend we noticed that there were fewer people, but when they announced the arrival of the UME and the councilor Òscar Ordeig was harsh, they stopped coming. “We see very few cyclists and very few people on foot. Even less than during covid with the pandemic. As a neighbor, it’s a great situation, there is a lot of peace and a lot of calm. I have the chickens confined because of avian flu, there are no hikers because of swine fever… I imagine it’s the consequence of climate change and globalization,” concluded Gibernet.
Juan Pablo walks alone on the shoulder of the Arrabassada highway. He stops in front of a municipal animal shelter. “Every Sunday I come on foot from the Sant Pau hospital. It’s my therapy. Today the police told me that I couldn’t go there because of nature. I went on the asphalt and it’s not the same. Let’s see if it ends soon,” he says before catching his breath and continuing his climb.
In this mountainous area of Barcelona there are far fewer cycling fans than usual. Around a bend, a small group of three mountain bikers stop. “We always let off steam on the roads and today we have to drive on the asphalt: it’s boring,” they complain.
After the town of Vallvidrera, on an asphalt road, are the offices of the Sierra de Collserola Natural Park Consortium. “Today, very few people came to ask questions. It’s obvious that they know the restrictions,” underlines one of the Consortium technicians, puffing out his chest and showing around ten brochures. With the photograph of a wild boar on the cover, these documents are one of the means used by the Generalitat to disseminate “advice to avoid the spread of ASF”.
The El Racó de Collserola restaurant is almost deserted. “It’s not normal, at this time on a Sunday, it should be full,” admits a waiter. On all dirt roads, there are prohibition tapes and signs announcing: “African swine fever infection zones” and a multitude of symbols prohibiting access to hikers, cyclists, runners and dogs on a leash. Although access is prohibited, the sign takes the opportunity to ask for collaboration: “If you find dead wild boars, do not handle them and call 112.” At one of the entrances to the restaurant there is a fixed warning sign: “Beware of wild boars. Wild animals. Danger of attack or bite.” As if there were few warnings about the danger of this wildlife, the signage adds: “Do not approach them. Do not feed them. Be vigilant and check your bags.”
In the Planes district, tranquility has not been like this week for years. Three neighbors drink cognac, before eating, at the doors of the Miguel bar. “The hikers don’t bother us, but it’s very visible that the media is doing their job. We haven’t seen this empty for years,” says one of the neighbors.
In the mountains there are hundreds of prohibition notices, but there are not many agents who closely control the trails, despite the fact that there is a device with a thousand soldiers to control the hundred trails that enter inside the Collserola Park. In the Sol i Aire urbanization of Sant Cugat, Lluís and half a dozen volunteers from the Sol i Aire Self-Protection Group dressed this Sunday in reflective vests and decided to inform of the restrictions everyone who would use the paths that pass through their homes. “There are restaurants, but they cannot travel on the roads. We have a big problem with swine fever,” he concludes while continuing to warn any approaching vehicle.
The roads of Sant Cugat and Cerdanyola del Vallès are completely empty. Ordeig once again asked citizens not to go to rural areas located within the 20 kilometer perimeter around the outbreak. The Generalitat analyzed more than a hundred dead animals. The advisor sent “encouragement” to breeders and assures that they are taking steps to open exports to more countries. In the risk area around Collserola there are 55 pig farms, with a total capacity of around 80,000 animals. Of these animals, when the time comes, some 35,600 animals will go to the slaughterhouse. The rest are mothers and their babies.
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