This diligence was ordered by the Cerdanyola del Vallès Court of Instruction number 2 as part of preliminary proceedings declared secret. The two police forces reported that the entry and search of the facilities were carried out “following the protocols and security measures required by this type of research center”.
“"There is no data or information that allows us to either deny or validate the responsibility of the Animal Health Research Center in the expansion of the virus. We cannot confirm or deny a matter that is currently under investigation."
Hours after the search, the Government spokesperson and Minister of Territory, Housing, Ecological Transition, Sílvia Paneque, called for “maximum prudence” regarding the investigation. Last week, IRTA-CReSA, which conducts experiments with the ASF virus, had already stated that “no incident susceptible to having affected biosecurity has occurred” due to the construction of a new adjacent building.
The center clarified that the expansion work is in an “initial phase” and limited “only to preliminary work for ground preparation and surrounding urbanization,” without affecting “either the biosecurity building or any of the operational facilities.”
Meanwhile, the outbreak continues to grow. The Ministry of Agriculture confirmed ten more cases of dead pigs on Tuesday, totaling 26 positive wild animals since the start of the outbreak. Surveillance remains active at the epicenter, 6 kilometers from Cerdanyola, leading to the closure of forests in municipalities like Sabadell.
“"We are in a moment of uncertainty. We have the feeling of paying for the broken plates. The righteous for the sinners. We are waiting for the administration, whether we kill all the pigs in the area or not, with our hearts in our mouths depending on what they say. But it doesn't look good."
